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.
The inside of the wooden shack was simple, even poor, by pureblood standards. But it was cozy, fully of handmade fabric, and wooden charms to make the place feel lived in. Lucius Malfoy isn't feeling comfortable, not because he's more used to and expected the decadent luxury of the old aristocracy (which he is, but that's beside the point). No, the reason for his anxiety comes from the man in front of him, who is pouring wine into two glasses, and carrying over to their table like one would expect from a common servant. "Now, Lucius, my old friend. Can I call you this? We both know I went to school together with your father Abraxus. But I feel like treating you as the son, a mere attachment of your father would only distance ourselves from what we went through together."
"Of course, my lord. It's my honor that you would treat me as an equal." Lucius' arm and hand feel stiff all of sudden as he picks up the wine-filled glass from the hand of his (technically former) lord. His mind spins, trying to find a way that makes what he's going to suggest the most appealing to his lord. "I did not expect it to happen in my generation since the last cycle was sixty years ago, during my grandfather Serpentis' time. But a new Wave of Catastrophe happened. And by the look of it, it's going to be a greater one with an outer god invader behind it. And sadly, the Order of the Shield is now scattered into different factions rather than united like we should be. There is a new Shield Hero, and like his predecessor, he is being surrounded by short-sighted fools and self-serving scum from all sides. We need someone strong, wise, and has established great prestige to unify our fragmented order to make sure we help the new Shield Hero to stop the threat, so the people who can't protect themselves can be safe. Was this not the reason that you chose to step up to the challenge of leading our families fresh out of the Hero Academy? To protect innocent people so the fire started selfish schemers would not be allowed to expand and burn those on the side who have no stake in such petty conflicts?"
"Lucius, my friend. We talked about this topic multiple times. I'm retired now, and I found myself quite enjoying the life of retirement where I get to spend more time with my family. Have I not given enough to break you and your allies' families out of the clutches of that old mountain goat Subal Mudbalrode?"His lord sets the glasses down on the table, stands up, walks over to Lucius' side, and places a hand on his shoulder. "I'm old now. Perhaps it's time for you to step up, into the role of leading the shield aligned families like generations of Malfoy did, rather than looking for guidance in the son of a Bourgeoisie for leadership."
"You are not old, my lord, but venerated, a trait that's perfect to lead us. I might be descended from the first Shield Hero, but I lack enough experience, and especially prestige to call my own to truly unify our order. Lord Charles Balproven would not allow his long legs to follow in the steps of someone young enough to be his son. And in a precarious time such as now, any hesitation, let alone conflict within our order would create enough of an opening for our enemies within the Faubley court to exploit, nevermind whatever abomination lurks outside of our world."
"I have given more thoughts to my previous actions in my retirement, old friend." Lucius' lord sits back into his own seat, his eyes distant. Silence fell between the two of them, only the sound of a ticking gearwork clock hanging on the wall breaks the monotony. After a while, Lucius' lord finally speaks. "I was able to break you, the 'dark' aligned families away from Subal Mudbalrode's control. But most of the so-called 'light' aligned families steadfastly refuse to see what I've been trying to show them throughout that pointless conflict. That had made me realize that you can't show the truth to someone, or save them from themselves by force. It matters not if I come out of my retirement to lead the shield-aligned families again if they themselves are more willing to indulge their own greed than what would be good for the world. If the people in the world decided they would rather go out in a decadent blaze, who am I to argue with them? I would simply like to spend my last moments with my family."
Chapter 57: Aftermath of the Spirit Tortoise
The American rich boy left without much fanfare with Jenkins, Adewale, and most of the former pirates, as quickly as he arrived. It seems that in spite of all of his posturing, he knows how much he is hated by everyone around, since most of them are nobles, or those who serve the nobles. The only reason he wasn't torn apart was Dio's protection, and even the veteran hero's patience is starting to wear thin. So he left before someone decided to take him to task for his actions and words.
It was just as well, as Dio collapsed down not long after, and he can barely stand on his feet without someone holding him up. If Naofumi has to hazard a guess, it's the attack he used at the end. Naofumi doesn't know what he himself looked like while under the effect of the [Wraith Shield, but he still had the impression of an unstoppable surge of rage left behind. And Dio's state reminded him of that brief moment he himself went through.
Yet, he isn't the only one who suffered from using his full power to stop the turtle. Over half of the fighters are now on the ground, either from using their power to protect those who used their final attacks, or lending their power to said attacks. And when the Fohl carried Granny back... she looked barely alive. Her skin looks shriveled, barely clenching onto her bones, and it has a sickly gray color. Malty gives him a questioning look, and then pulls out the vial from inside her cloth. The vial of Yggdrasil Medicine she saved for emergency as someone's extra life.
To Naofumi's surprise, Granny raises up one of her hands, which now looks like the claw of a chicken with how thin and fragile her fingers are. "No. Not yet..."
"Master Elrasla used up all of her ki with that last attack, but her life essence still remains strong." Mala takes a step in front of Malty, seemingly trying to stop her from using up the vial of life saving medicine while explaining the situation. "Don't get me wrong. That in itself is a severe situation. Especially for a fighter that is reaching her twilight years. She'll be sickly for a while, before her body can regain her ki back through rest, foot intake and meditation. But so long as her life essence still remains, she will survive this. There is no need to use up the vial of medicine yet."
"Alright... but if her situation deteriorate, we'll use the medicine on Granny." Naofumi looks up at the three Siltvelt princes, in particular, Avdol, who is still being carried by his friends with the gaping wound on his shoulder. He doesn't know why nobody else bothered to heal him, so he cast a healing miracle at the dark-skinned birdman. To his surprise, the wound on his shoulder didn't close, and all his spell accomplished was to make Avdol's face twist in agony. Seeing this, the white-haired Cleose quickly holds his hand up. "Stop, my king! We already tried to heal Prince Muhammad ourselves. Whatever wound he suffered, his assailant had left some kind of strange energy inside of his body - unless we dispel the strange power first, trying to hurt him would only cause him more damage and pain when both powers fight for dominance in his body. Our problem being that we don't recognize the power that's inside of Prince Mohammed."
"Is there absolutely nothing we can do to help Avdol?" Naofumi looks around the gathered people. He can imagine that people like Kael'thas support him not because he was their 'rightful king', but also because they can gain something from him. But it still doesn't change the fact that they helped him faithfully. He doesn't want to see them suffer if he could do something about it.
Dio stepped forward with some help from his female companions, grabbing Avdol's wrist on his good arm and placing two fingers on the vein right below Avdol's hand. His expression slowly grows more and more severe until he finally turns to look at Granny. "Master Elrasla, you better see this. It feels like an inner ki wound from the Hengen Musou style, but still different. It's too sharp, like the blade of a sword rather than a hammer."
"Tisk. So bothersome..." Fohl looks unsure about Dio's request, but Granny must have given him some instruction as he moved forward like Dio requested. The old martial artist's expression quickly changes to that of complete surprise, and puzzlement. She turns to look at Mala, and opens her mouth while giving out some silent instruction.
"Are you sure, Master Elrasla?" Mala's expression also becomes strange, and then she turns towards everyone. "Master Elrasla believes it to be a special kind of energy that's similar to the ki built by Hengen Musou style, but different. I have read ancient records like this, particularly about the recording of the ninth Sword Hero. A kind of, almost solidified ki power that's even above Master Ravana's Dynamax, and Master Elrasla's Hyakushiki Kannon... they call it 'gong'. Meaning 'solid wind'. Just like 'ki' means 'air', or 'breath'."
"Was the one who hurt him riding atop some kind of strange-looking, flying beast covered in metal armor?" An unfamiliar voice asked behind the crowd, drawing Naofumi's attention away. The gathered people part ways, revealing someone with a thin mustache in a kind of dark armor that looks very different from the kind of western style (or rather, JRPG style) armor on the body of the other Medea folk. To Naofumi's eyes, this man's armor is closer to an Oriental style, although definitely not Japanese. Perhaps it is Chinese, or Korean?
"That's one of the Mirror Demon's subordinates taken into custody by us, my king." Nazgrel takes a few steps forward, and kicks the man down onto the ground. "He called for mercy as soon as we were upon him. I'd rather remove this coward's head from his shoulder, but it's probably best I don't dirty my blade with his filthy blood."
"That son of a whore Astaroth left us all to die to cover his, and his most inner circle's retreat! I don't see why we should throw our lives away when he betrayed us first!" The prisoner lets out a snarl, but quickly shuts his mouth as Nazgrel gives him another threatening glare. He turns his attention towards Naofumi, and speaks with a much quieter, submissive voice. "These wounds are inflicted by the Katana Hero and his direct subordinates from my world. I have seen them before, since I used to be a minor army captain under him. Astaroth, the Mirror Demon took the land I was guarding away, and forced me into serving him."
"So you are throwing away your loyalty to your former master to beg for your life more than once. Pathetic, simply pathetic." Kael'thas shoots a disgusted look at the prisoner from the corner of his eyes before continuing. "Is there a good way to stop this kind of lingering wound? If you have no way to contribute, I don't mind sending you right back to your former master."
Kael'thas wraps his fingers around the hilt of his sword and pulls it out half way, making it very apparent how he intends to deal with the prisoner, making him recoil further away. Before the quivering prisoner replies back, Granny speaks up first. "I spent a bit more time testing out the lingering power in the bird boy's body, and it's not as bad as I thought. It wasn't a sword gong like I previously feared, but something of a similar vein, probably some kind of energy mixed with a person's spirit when using a blade. I can slowly dissolve it away in a couple of days. But in the meantime, he's going to have to bear this gushing wound."
"I will be fine." Avdol gives a nod to everyone around him, till his gaze is focused on the prisoner. "Stand back and still your hand, Kael'thas, Nazgrel. If this guy was a subordinate of our future enemy, we should question him for further information. At any rate, it would give us further insight of what we are facing when we compare whatever we glean from him with what the Tome Hero will impart with us."
"Very well. You better speak up, worm. Or else Nazgrel will show you the hospitality of the Storm Wolf tribe." Kael'thas returns his weapon fully back into his sheath, but takes another step forward to make himself loom over the downed prisoner. The large boar beastman beside him has a sneering on his face as he cracks his knuckles. "The one I faced was someone who was encased in dark armor, and riding some kind of black plated chimera creature with the head of a bull, and coiled horn of a ram and flying on bat wings."
"It's one of the Three Knights of Katana Hero, his most powerful subordinates! Lavender the Sky Knight, Kazuki the Earth Knight, and Kon the Peerless Knight!" The prisoner's face peels away from Kael'thas, and turns towards the sky. Specifically, at the direction Naofumi was looking at earlier when he noticed the strangeness hanging over their head. The prisoner's expression turns into one that's mixed agony with fear as he begins to beg with a screaming voice. "YOU HAVE TO GET ME OUT OF HERE! If one of them came out of the portal, that means the portal opened right above the fortress of the Katana Hero! And it's still OPEN! The Katana Hero could send his men through at any time, and nobody beats the Katana Hero! Not even the Mirror He- Demon with all of his dirty tricks and his subordinate trying to gang up on that monster! Whenever the Katana Hero takes the battle personally, Astaroth just runs with his tail stuck between his legs!"
"Oh, great. Another arrogant fuckwad who thinks he's a hotshot because he never lost a battle... yet." Tact crosses his arms in front of his chest, and looks at Dio from the corner of his eyes. "I wonder what happens when the 'strongest' of one world meets the 'strongest' of another world. Should be a good showing."
"Don't treat it lightly. If that Katana Hero is undefeated in his world, and would force an underhanded coward like Astaroth to flee, it means he isn't someone to take lightly." Dio shoots a glare at Tact's direction, making the Faubley prince instantly close his mouth. The white tiger then gives a sideway glance at the screaming and kicking prisoner on the ground, and begins to look around. "If what this sniveling coward said is true anyway, where is that Book Hero? We are going to verify this information from him."
"Here is Mr. Kyo. But he's not in a good condition." Once again, the crowd part ways. This time letting Seliph in. It takes a few moments for Naofumi to see he's carrying the Book Hero on his back, who looks like he had all of his bones disappeared. "Mr. Kyo looked like this as soon as our battle with the Spirit Tortoise and the mutated bioplant concluded. And after he canceled his effect of his [Skill Swap]. I think it has something to do with my patron Dragon Aspect's power leaving his body, because that's the ability he switched so I can see the inside of the turtle and the bioplant."
"Don't ask like I'm dead, damn it." Kyo lets out an annoyed whine between laboured breaths. He continues to mumble afterwards. "Hell. Now I know why nobody else tried to steal- take the power of the Dragon Aspect. The high when you have their power running through you is intoxicating... and the lows afterwards are equally crushing."
"Are you still alive enough to answer some questions, Kyo? Because we want to know about this Katana Hero from your world." Naofumi leans his head a bit closer to the Book Hero, trying to read his expression and whatever body language he may give in addition to his words. Although in his current, clearly over exhausted state, that might be difficult. "Was he strong? And what about the subordinates he has?"
"Why do you want to know about that uncultured brute? You didn't have enough fun fighting that two faced coward Astaroth, and you want to pick a fight with another egomaniac-" Kyo slightly looks up from Seliph's shoulder, looking as annoyed as exasperated. But then his expression suddenly froze like he's having a stroke, and his expression turned much more furious. Naofumi thought the Book Hero really has no place to call someone else arrogant, considering he clearly likes to hear himself talk if he doesn't even want to shut up when his body can barely move. "Of course! I should have known! Astaroth opened a permanent portal from your world to Katana Hero's realm, didn't he? It's just like him to spite someone who beats him in battle with one last 'fuck you'. He wanted the Katana Hero to pick a fight with you, and have you weaken his biggest rival... err..."
At this stage, Kyo finally seems to use up most of his strength, and his head dips down from Seliph's shoulder. As always, his answer was always more of him throwing a temper tantrum, or some kind of pointless ramble than genuine, useful information. But Naofumi did still learn something. First, this Katana Hero was clearly a long time enemy with Astaroth. And he is clearly strong in some way to not be defeated by the Mirror Demon. He, or someone else will have to continue their questioning of both Kyo, and this former subordinate of Astaroth. But he has a feeling their new prisoner wasn't intentionally lying about this Katana Hero.
"Just when we think an issue is resolved, it gets twisted into a new one." Naofumi mumbles under his breath as he looks at the twisted portal in the sky. Right now, nothing has come out yet, but he doesn't know how long it will take before another invasion across the world happens. And they might not be as lucky this time with a hero that seems to be more focused on personal strength, than cheap schemes and dirty tactics. Then he remembers something else that's related to the Mirror Demon's portal, so he turns to that prisoner again. "What about that Shin Getter look alike- I mean that huge armored robot, no, golem man."
"You mean that armored demon, Lord Hero? I have no idea. Never seen anything like it. I don't think Astaroth meant to summon it. Could be anything really. He might be a demon that specializes in manipulating dimension, and we get to avoid the whole level barrier curse with his portal. But I heard him mention something about all kinds of horror residing in the 'Void Between Worlds'. Could be something he didn't mean to summon out."
"You shouldn't need someone else to tell you what they really were." Dio suddenly interrupts the prisoner's rambling as he focuses his attention on Naofumi. "You saw it too, didn't you? The three colored lights trailing through the sky when that 'armored demon' was destroyed by the turtle. They were the porting light of a hero. And unless the other world has different rules, the three colors are red, blue and yellow. They would have been Cardinal Heroes like you."
"So now we can confirm that we are going to face another Star Hero, and whatever army he built on the other side of this permanent portal. And we have a high possibility that three other heroes are already running around somewhere in this world." Things simply get worse and worse. Naofumi rubs his head as a growing headache begins to catch up. He expected things to get way harder with the revelation of The Burning Legion. He just didn't expect this kind of problem even before they fight the one responsible for this current Wave.
"Don't be so upset, Naofumi. If you forgot, that Shin Getter lookalike was fighting the turtle for us. So maybe they will be our allies, not enemies." Motoyasu gives him an encouraging pat on his shoulder. Naofumi doesn't think, and especially doesn't want to rely on his luck turning around, but it would certainly be a nice change. He taps Motoyasu on his shoulder as a show of appreciation for his friend trying to cheer him up.
"We still need to at least prepare for another invasion from this world of Malach. And I would like to request for the right for us to register Fort Wolf's Mouth as a porting destination if Stormwind city's location is too damaged to be usable." Dio turns his attention towards the former king this time. "We will inspect Stormwind together with your heroes, to make sure there would be no attempt at fooling you to gain access to your biggest defensive chokepoint. But you will need more than your current, still low levelled and inexperienced heroes if this Katana Hero decides to launch a full invasion with himself at the helm."
The former king looks right back at the Gauntlet Hero without blinking. Just as the silence between them begins to grow overbearing. He finally relent by nodding his head while uttering a single word, seemingly through his gritted teeth. "Granted."
"NU~ Wachado, Champion of the Sea Realm. Under the command of Lady Lung, we have come to reinforce our allies to chase away the foreign invaders." A large group of lizardmen, and amphibian-looking creatures walk towards them. Their leader, the dark blue-scaled lizard man, goes on one knee in front of Naofumi. For some reason, Dio's face suddenly becomes very dark after seeing the lizard man. Naofumi wonders if these two had a bad history, and if he needs to step in to defuse a bad situation.
"Why did you, and your fellow warriors of the sea realm, come to reinforce us, Lord Wachado? I thought I would give orders for Lord Chi to take his banners south and help us defeat the Mirror Demon. Did that simpleton think he could ignore my command now?" Dio's previously relaxed hands are now balled up into a full fist once again.
"Nu. From what I heard, Lord Chi did assemble the army and was ready to come south to join the battle against the Mirror Demon. But Lord Hahahan appealed to Madam Hushie, convinced her that lives of good Siltvelt man should never be wasted-" Wachado looks over to the people, especially those from Melromarc. Naofumi gets the feeling that he's trying to find a word that sounds less rude to them. "Nu. On these foreigners."
"THAT SHORTSIGHTED, GREEDY PIG! Does he not know the damage a Guardian Beast, let alone a foreign world invader could cost?!" The Siltvelt Hero spins around and struggles free from his closest companions. His new surge of rage seems to overcome his state of weakness. "Get ready to return immediately. We can't let scum like Hahahan continue blowing poison in my mother's ear at a trying time like this. I'll snap his neck myself if I have to."
"Please reconsider, My Lord!" Dio's red haired female companion immediately grabs his gauntlet wearing arm, her expression begging. "Hahahan is a rat and a snake. But he has the madam's favor at the moment. If you openly feud with him, your relationship with your mother will be-"
Dio's body seizes up, seemingly thinking over what his female subordinate said. But Tact walks up to him from the other side, ignoring the dirty looks Dio's subordinates are shooting at him. Naofumi gets the feeling that what he's going to say isn't going to help the situation. "If you are having a problem with Mommy, I can take care of it for you. I'm technically an enemy of Siltvelt, so I can go in there in secrecy... and 'take care' of the one you want to be taken out. Just place the blame on me afterwards."
Naofumi is pretty sure that if you want to essentially assassinate someone (especially an enemy from another nation), you shouldn't openly announce it amongst a bunch of people in public. Dio gives Tact a dirty look, which the younger hero does his best to appear aloof to. But the sudden twitch of his body, and the step back he took almost like he's instinctively expecting a savage beating reveals Tact's fear. The punch, or maybe kick didn't arrive on the younger hero's body, as Dio walks among his companions, and gives Granny a look. "I'm sorry for leaving, Master Elrasla. But I need to take care of things at the homefront. I'll have to leave this mess to you."
"Such an inconsiderate boy." Granny murmurs on Fohl's back while shakes her head as Dio and his closest companions disappear in a ray of purple light, but the tone in her voice has no malice behind it, sounding more like a grandmother talking about a favored child.
"I still don't know what's going on with Siltvelt, but it sounds like the politics there isn't any less complicated than Melromarc." Kael'thas lets out a light cough, seemingly trying to hide how he truly feels about Naofumi's comment as he leans closer, and asks in a whisper. "This lizard guy is with Lung. Is he trustworthy?"
"Sir Wachado is a straight arrow. And he is not one of Lung's lackeys, or playthings. Lung is able to give command to many clans thanks to her title as 'princess of all dragons'. But it doesn't mean those people are her inner circle who are only loyal to her." Kael'thas whispers right back at Naofumi before turning at the kneeling lizardman and his subordinates. "Stand, Sir Wachado, Champion of the Sea Realm. Our king thanks you, for your timely aid. For now, you, and all of your men shall remain by his side, since our defeated enemy made one last spiteful act towards our king and brought another enemy upon us."
"NU! I shall do as you command, Prince Kael'thas. Should I also bring words to the champions of sky, and land realms?" The dark-scaled lizard man stands back to his full height, and Naofumi quickly finds out that he's slightly taller than Kael'thas thanks to the horn-like protrusion on the back of his head.
"Do so. We don't know how much power that Katana Hero possesses other than the legend about Noel, the False Katana Hero. But if he was able to cower the Mirror Demon, and one of his subordinates bested me in aerial combat and wounded Prince Mohammed. He is not a foe to take lightly." Kael'thas turns to look at the former Melromarc King. Naofumi isn't sure if he truly forgot about Malty's father, or is intentionally snubbing him. "Unless General Melromarc questions our motivation?"
The former king doesn't immediately answer, either. Maybe he's treating Kael'thas back as how he's being treated. Or maybe he is truly thinking over his options. "You have proven yourself to not be fair-weathered friends. We'll allow Siltvelt to station an army, and defend our world together against this possible future invasion so long as you leave most of your army north of Griffin's Spine."
"NU~ My warriors and I prefer the beach where we are close to the sea, over the mountain." Wachado answers back with his strong nasal voice. With it, he always sounds angry or annoyed, so it's equally hard to tell if he took offense to the former king's decision.
"Speaking of trusting the Siltvelt warriors... What about Kael'thas, Nazgrel and the raiders? I think they have also proven trustworthy enough to follow me around without their slave seals." Naofumi looks at the former king, and he nods right back. He turns back at the bird prince and the wolf raiders. "I'll free all of you too, as soon as we get enough holy water."
"You need to do no such thing, my king. That uncivilized Hammer Hero might not be able to tell a lowly slave from a trusted man of the cloth, but we do. We know the seal you placed on our chest might look the same, but they are a sign that we are part of your own clan, your family." Naofumi's eyes twitch at Kael'thas' words. He sounds 100% genuine, which is why this feels so extra frustrating. It reminds Naofumi of how Raphtalia acted at first about the slave mark. Except this time, it's not because the bird prince and the raiders are too young to know better, but probably because of the twisted culture they lived in.
"You are part of my clan, my... family, without the slave seal. But if I keep them on you, I would never forgive myself because I know the rich and the powerful will use this as an excuse to justify their enslavement of your fellow men. I didn't release those pirates from slavery because I was trying to appease that Hammer Hero. I did it, because I truly think I made a mistake. And after I returned their freedom to them after one battle, it would be disingenuous if I still kept all of you enslaved after you fought multiple battles for me, and died for me." Naofumi takes a deep breath, and figuratively puts his foot down on the issue. "But know this. All of you represent me. So I will not have you break laws, or kill innocent people for no reason. If you do, I will make all of you accountable to the law."
"Of course. My king. Laws must be respected, with even those made outside of Siltvelt by other nations that we might disagree with. And I thank you for placing this great trust on us. We will continue doing our best to follow, and represent you." Kael'thas bows his head down, and his already formal voice somehow sounds even more serious than usual. Naofumi gives him a nod, and decides to leave him to his own devices as he turns to go towards the ruined city of Stormwind.
"Itsuki. You stay here, heal and rest. All of us have Stormwind City saved in our porting shield setting. Motoyasu and I can check if the city is still functional." Naofumi turns towards his friend. Itsuki's condition has definitely gotten worse since he forced himself to use that formation bow art with Rishia's help. Right now, he seems to barely be able to keep his eyelid up. And on the side, Motoyasu is still shooting dirty looks at him. "Stop blaming Itsuki for agreeing with the Hammer Hero, Motoyasu. Do you blame Raphtalia too? I already said that I agree with his point, that I made a mistake in using slave seals to keep people in check."
"Have I done the wrong thing? Should I have told Hammer Hero that what Master Naofumi did was fine, and I'm perfectly happy with him forcing criminals to fight the Wave with the slave seal? I mean... I don't think Master Naofumi did anything wrong with that. But I know people like Viscount Consevatie will point at it, and then say how he is totally in the right for owning slaves because the Shield Hero did too..." Raphtalia looks left and right, clearly looking as distressed as she is confused.
"No. You didn't do anything wrong. Raphtalia. You are free to say whatever you think is right. Not a puppet who only repeats what we tell you." Malty kneels down by Raphtalia's side, gives her some comforting pats on the head and shoulders before turning to give Motoyasu a glare. "Now look at what you did to Raphtalia, Master Motoyasu. I think you owe her an apology."
"Well, yes. Of course! I wasn't trying to blame Raphtalia. She and her friends could suffer from slavery. But Itsuki doesn't, and him siding with some fucker he barely knows over us, his friends is dumb. I just want to make sure he doesn't keep doing dumb shit like this." Motoyasu mumbles underneath his breath, as he leaves Itsuki's side and follows after Naofumi with his spear slung over his shoulder.
The last time Naofumi stepped into Stormwind City, he remembers a place which had seen signs of violence and turmoil, such as smashed shops and burnt buildings in the street. But there was also the sound of the crowd going about their lives, children playing around, and workers doing their best to rebuild their home while guards kept the peace. Now, all of the buildings have been reduced to fallen walls, or piles of rubble. Not a soul can be seen around as far as his eyes can see, with only the wind blowing through the empty street sounds like the wail of ghosts. The turtle's body, and the bioplant are both gone after the American rich boy's attack, and all of their mages' spells. But it doesn't instantly clear away all the rotten flesh that has been made of its many undead minions. They are now thankfully still, but they still emit the stench of death reminding everyone the lives lost because of Astaroth's greed.
There's no one alive around here anymore. Not even anyone undead. Anyone that demon and his subordinate captured had all been fed to my body to keep it strong. And then their bodies, now turned into mindless puppets.The voice of the turtle comes into Naofumi's head once again, making him realize the price of having Astaroth taking over one of the cities.
"That Astaroth... that FILTH! He really did kill everyone. He can boast about how he's going to lead everyone to defeat The Burning Legion, and then to prosperity all he wants, but this all around us shows he can't be trusted. He will sacrifice everyone, and anyone to beat his enemies." Naofumi tightens his fist. He wants to go after Astaroth, punch the stuff out of him for what he did. But at the moment, there are way more pressing matters to deal with than that third rate isekai trash. "You were only one of the Four Guardian Beasts, right? That means there are three others just like you. You know the situation has not deteriorated to the point that lives need to be harvested to protect this world yet. Can you tell the other three to stay put?"
I can try. But I'm not sure they can override their prime directive. We were created by Gaia to fill the purpose of protecting the world of Medea. Caring for mortal lives, sentient or not, is quite literally not in our system. Honestly, I think the reason I don't have a strong urge to continue what my body left off was because I don't have a body anymore, and I'm connected to you through the core of the Emerald WEAPON. Naofumi can't see the spirit of the kaiju turtle, but he gets the sense that his newest 'friend' is scratching his head. At any rate. Don't get too used to summoning me out to do your work for you either. Using my spirit to directly interface with the material world uses way more power than if I constructed a physical body. And I don't think you want me to do that since I might be forced into completing my prime directive again. I'm down to about half now. You can try to recharge me through the souls you collected, but I doubt you'd collect enough to fill me back up.
"Right. I'll plan around that I might only be able to summon you one more time. Probably should save you for The Burning Legion, or if I'm about to die." Naofumi lets out a tired sigh. Of course, nothing would be easy, or else these people wouldn't have summoned a hero to save them in the first place. He looks up at his [Port Shield] ability and sees that Stormwind City's location is still selectable. Although he's not sure if another hero could still register the location. So he turns right at the Whip Hero. "I think I can still teleport here. But what about you, Prince Tact? Can you register the location?"
"No good. It doesn't let me register. Guess it works like delisted games in an online store. You can still access the towns that have been turned to ruin you previously registered, but it doesn't let new users register." Tact's face slowly turns to Naofumi and gives him a smirk. "In case you were wondering. Yes. I am a summoned hero like you, your little lackey, or that American revolutionary wannabe. And no, I didn't come from the same world as him. That being said... what is your deal with that fucker?"
"What do you mean?" Naofumi slowly turns his head around to look at the veteran hero who is barely any older. He didn't expect Tact to notice the negative feeling he had towards the American rich boy. If it was Malty noticing him acting unusual, he would have somewhat expected it to happen because she knows him well. But the Whip Hero, who usually has a more self-centered attitude towards everything, he didn't expect. Or perhaps, he hasn't hidden his contempt towards the other young man from his world as well as he did.
"Well. I have seen you giving him dirty looks since the Hero Conference on Cal Mira Island. And correct me if I'm wrong. But I haven't seen you going around showing animosity towards anyone else for no good reason. So I don't see you as the kind who randomly decided to not like someone they first met." Tact touches the tip of his index finger on his head. "Which makes it interesting, since I was summoned very close to that clueless fool. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have time to have a history with him since I was the one who went to school with him. That only leaves one answer: you knew him before either of you were summoned."
"Yeah. I know him, but I doubt he knew me. He came from a rich family that makes and sells weapons, and I'm just some random kid from Tokyo." Naofumi nods his head, hoping his non-committal answer is enough to get the Whip Hero off his back. Because he really isn't in the mood to discuss the mess from his world when there's already enough fuckups on Medea.
"Hmm. So you were either jealous of his wealth, or a pacifist who hates him for making and selling weapons? Good enough for me. Kind of expected something like this when he keeps pulling out weapon blueprints out of his behind..." The Whip Hero gives him one last look from the corner of his eyes as he seems to lose interest. Walking away while mumbling to himself.
"I get why you wouldn't want to talk about it publicly, Master Naofumi. But do you want to talk more about it in private? Your disposition towards the Hammer Hero is not usual, and I'm a bit concerned about the reason behind it. Whatever it is, it's not a good idea to have it all bottled up." Naofumi can hear Malty's voice quietly whispering in his ears. He looks down at his own feet, feeling a bit afraid to reply back to Malty. He is more than a little afraid of that eventual talk, since it would likely make him come off as petty to his friends. But just like his use of slavery, he will have to face it.
"Yeah. I'll talk to you all about it after this is wrapped up. But it will probably come off as something extremely shallow." Naofumi lets out a breath, trying to push the fear away. He idly thought about how many of the other isekai stories he read start with the main character essentially being a blank slate once they enter into a new world, their past wiped clean. Yet a part of the world he came from comes to haunt him in the way of the summoned Hammer Hero.
"Oh, good. In case you forgot already, I was a princess who committed treason to my own family and country because I didn't want to go through with my arranged marriage. I was afraid you were too deep for me." Malty's reply catches him off guard, and a chuckle escapes his mouth. He supposes she is right, in a way. All of them became the way they are because of their past. Expecting it to be erased simply because he was snatched into a new world isn't only foolish, it's downright irresponsible about his past.
A bell-like sound can be heard outside the wall of the ruined Stormwind City. Malty taps Naofumi on the shoulder as she walks towards a part of the crumbled wall first. "That's the sound from Faubley's airship. They must be trying to bring it to port after it crashed into the sea. Come on, let's not stay here any longer."
Naofumi quickly follows her steps to walk beyond the wall. Sure enough, a large wooden ship is parted right on the beach. With its blimps retracted and looks more like a downed sail, it didn't look very different from a normal ship. Smoke is still coming out of the ship, and people are being moved down with rope attached boats, and there are already people waiting for them with makeshift stretchers. Malty's father is among them, there are also those other church groups with the golden cross on their robes instead of the golden triangle. As they walk closer, he can see the former king is talking with someone who looks like a military leader of some kind. Wearing an elaborate overcoat and decorated with medals. "Melromarc will not forget your help in our darkest moment, General Ironwood."
"My only regret is not being able to give you more decisive help, Aultcray. And I suppose these are the heroes summoned for this Wave of Catastrophe?" The general turns his head to look at Naofumi and Motoyasu as they walk towards him.
"Yes. The Shield Hero, Naofumi Iwatani, protector of my elder daughter. And Spear Hero Motoyasu Kitamura, protector of my younger daughter. Revered heroes, I would like to introduce General Ironwood of Faubley. He is probably the most trustworthy ally you can find in Faubley when the world is under threat, and your worst enemy if you decide to threaten the world." Aultcray also turns around at them, and formally introduces the general to them. Naofumi wonders why he wasn't present during the Hero Conference if he is such a big shot, but then he thinks about who did represent Faubley... and he can understand why this general wasn't present.
"It's an honor to meet you, General Ironwood." Malty gives the general a bow. Not knowing what's proper, Naofumi and Motoyasu both follow her example.
"The honor is all mine, revered heroes. I would like to exchange some further pleasantries with you, but I was informed that the Mirror Demon gave us one last parting gift, in the form of a permanent connection to the world he invaded from - right over the territory of a foe he supposedly fears?" The general's eyes move away from the two of them, and look at the direction of the tear in the sky. "We shouldn't take light of the situation, even if it's an exaggeration. Is the city of Stormwind still good enough to be used as a military base in case we are attacked?"
"The Whip Hero tried to register the city as a teleport destination, but he couldn't. And the city is very much ruined by Astaroth." Naofumi quickly answers the general's question.
"That is concerning... Stormwind City would have been a perfect setup for warriors of all nations to gather since it's beyond Melromarc's border." Former King Aultcray closes his eyes, and begins to pull at his beard.
"There is another place close beyond Melromarc's border." The leader of the knights from the Four Heroes' Church suddenly speaks up. "It's a quaint mountain village on Griffin's Spine named Nibelheim."
End Note:
I want to say this is the short intermission before we fully get into the first proper long (Siltvelt) storyline of this story, but I just finished writing another battle a few chapters down the road. And to think this whole part before the Siltvelt storyline is supposed to be a 'short' intermission between the two proper storylines... Uncle Sheogorath help me.
Anyways, we are setting/building up for some political unrest Naofumi will face in Siltvelt for now through his dialogue with Siltvelt characters. And in this story, clearing these political unrest won't be as easy as him screaming at the schemers really loud. Naofumi is currently stuck between the aspiration to be a virtuous hero, and the need to be a more realistic leader who sometimes has to make amoral decisions since he's in a more crapsack world where you can't only depends on people's good will to get things done. Both his resolve, and his method will be further tested in Siltvelt where he (supposedly) hold unchecked authority as their rightful king.
But before that, there's still some left over problems caused by Astaroth the main cast has to taken care of, chief among them being the portal now connecting their current world with Malach (AKA Glass' world) where the other side leads to a malicious faction.