Disclaimer:
This is a work of fanfiction based on Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan and The Rising of the Shield Hero by Aneko Yusagi. I don't own any characters, settings, or ideas from the original series. All rights belong to their respective creators. Original characters and concepts introduced in this story — like Seren, Leora, Darin, Mira, Caius, and others — are my own creation. This project is something I've directed and written myself. I used AI tools (like ChatGPT) to help draft and organize some sections, but every creative decision — from the plot and pacing to the character arcs and emotional moments — was made by me. No profit is being made from this story. It's purely for entertainment and to share a new take on two worlds I love.
Percy's POV
The shouting started before sunrise.
I jolted awake, half-dressed and reaching for my sword, instincts roaring to life.
Not monsters.
Not an attack.
Something worse.
I threw on my armor as fast as I could, chainmail clinking, and raced downstairs.
In the inn's common room, a cluster of knights in polished armor dragged Naofumi toward the door.
He fought like a trapped animal, spitting curses, trying to wrench free.
His shield flashed dangerously in the morning light — but he didn't attack. Just struggled.
Off to the side, Myne clutched a cloak around her shoulders, sobbing like a stage actress.
Too loud. Too perfect.
My gut twisted.
Trap.
Seren and Leora stood nearby, whispering with my other party members, watching the scene with wide, eager eyes.
I caught Mira's gaze for half a second — she looked away immediately.
I pushed through the crowd before anyone could stop me, heart pounding, instincts screaming.
Whatever was happening, it wasn't right.
They dragged Naofumi into the throne room like a criminal.
The king sat high on his throne, robes pristine, crown gleaming.
His smile didn't reach his eyes.
"The Shield Hero," he announced to the crowd, "is accused of assaulting Lady Myne Sophia."
Gasps echoed around the room.
Whispers like venomous snakes in the corners.
Myne stood trembling beside Motoyasu, eyes wide and innocent, tears sparkling like diamonds.
I noticed — with a surge of disgust — how close Motoyasu stood to her.
Leaning in.
Smiling a little too much.
His hand brushed hers for a second, and she gave a shy little laugh through her "sobs."
Pathetic, I thought.
The king gestured, and Myne launched into her story:
How she bravely joined Naofumi's lonely party.
How he "turned on her" in the night.
How she "barely escaped with her life."
It was so polished, so perfect, it might've been written down beforehand.
Naofumi tried to speak —
"I didn't touch her! I didn't do anything!"
— but the nobles talked over him, shouting him down, drowning him out.
My blood boiled.
I'd seen kangaroo courts before.
Monsters disguised as judges.
Huh. Even in a world without the gods, their influence still shows.
Motoyasu stepped forward, puffing out his chest like a hero from a bad play.
"Fear not, Lady Myne! I, the Spear Hero, will protect your honor!"
I wanted to punch him.
Itsuki stood back, arms crossed, frowning thoughtfully — but not questioning anything out loud.
The whole room stank of lies.
I scanned Naofumi quickly.
His coin pouch was gone.
His shield scuffed.
Myne's story didn't add up.
And nobody cared.
I stepped forward before my brain could catch up.
"Where's your proof?" I said, loud enough to cut through the whispers.
The whole room turned toward me.
"You accuse him without evidence? Without witnesses? We're just supposed to take her word because she cried prettily enough?"
The king's eyes narrowed.
"Sword Hero," he said coldly. "Are you questioning the honor of Lady Myne? Are you questioning the judgment of this court?"
"I'm questioning a whole lot of things right now," I shot back.
My party stiffened behind me.
Seren muttered something under his breath.
"Your Majesty," Seren said, louder now, stepping forward. "We cannot follow a hero who sides with the Shield Devil."
Leora crossed her arms. "His judgment is compromised. He's a danger to us all."
Darin. Mira. Caius.
One by one, they stepped away from me.
I stared at them — feeling nothing.
No anger.
No sadness.
Just a cold, simple understanding.
They were never my allies.
I unstrapped the chainmail and tossed it onto the floor at their feet.
"Good luck," I said flatly. "Hope it keeps you warm when the monsters come."
Seren sneered, scooping it up like a prize.
The king didn't even bother pretending it was a real trial anymore.
"The Shield Hero's actions have disgraced him," he declared. "But by the grace of the crown, he shall not be executed."
Murmurs of disappointment flickered through the crowd.
"He shall pay a fine," the king continued, "and be branded accordingly."
Across the room, someone smirked.
I didn't catch who.
Too much noise.
Too much rage boiling behind my eyes.
Naofumi said nothing now — just stood, breathing hard, fists trembling.
"Shield Devil," someone muttered under their breath.
And just like that, the label stuck.
Malty sobbed dramatically into Motoyasu's chest, and the Spear Hero beamed like he'd just won the lottery.
I stormed out without waiting for permission, ignoring the glares, the muttering, the sideways glances from the guards.
Melromarc wasn't my home.
Wasn't my fight.
And yet — I wasn't about to let them tear someone down without reason.
I caught up to Naofumi outside the gates.
He stood stiffly by the fountain, shield slung across his back, jaw tight with rage.
For a second, I didn't know what to say.
Then I just said it.
"For what it's worth," I said quietly. "I believe you."
Naofumi didn't speak.
But he looked at me.
A long, hard, measured stare.
And then — the smallest nod.
He turned and walked away without a word.
I watched him go until he disappeared into the crowd.
The Waves were coming.
And somehow,
Facing monsters was starting to feel like the easy part.