Shield's Shadow

A New Party Member

After last night's events, the heroes and their parties were now at the throne room waiting for the reward we were promised

Aultcray: As a reward for your efforts during the Wave and for fulfilling my request, Sir Motoyasu will receive 4,000 silvers, and sir Itsuki and Sir Ren will receive 3,800. And as agreed upon, I have set aside 500 silvers for the Shield. However, since it's offset by the cost of freeing his slave from her curse, he will receive no funds this time

I know it wouldn't matter because I have plenty, but he is just being petty right now, luckily...

Itsuki: I don't think that's going to fly. You interfered in his duel, dispelled the slave crest, was it? And now you refuse to pay what he deserves?
Ren: Right? If you'd follow the rules, Naofumi, clearly would've won that duel
Motoyasu: Wha!... I didn't lose!
Malty: You're mistaken, Sir Itsuki, Sir Ren. It was a one-on-one duel, and the Shield Hero was the one with monsters hidden in his cape, and let's not forget that his partner interfered as well. That is why Father didn't declare him the victor
Itsuki: But he wouldn't have to if you didn't fired a magic spell at him
Ren: Besides, when the Wave hit, it was Naofumi who defended that village in the knights' stead. I believe he must be compensated in some way

Hehe, the way she gets mad is really fun, I wish I could do that without using my Mental Link

Aultcray: Very well. I shall afford him the minimum agreed amount

When Naofumi was offered the pouch, he snatched it

Aultcray: You have it, so begone already!

He was about to do something, but...

Raphtalia: Isn't it great, Master Naofumi? We don't have to waste our time in this place anymore

Wow, we're really lucky to have someone like her on our team

Naofumi: We're leaving, guys
Reed: 'Right behind you, man'

As they were leaving, I just looked at Aultcray, and stared at him and then shaking my head in disbelief for this whole thing as I followed them, and I could tell he was glaring at me, but honestly... I don't care

TIMESKIP

After getting the reward, we went with Belloukas to buy a new slave crest for Raphtalia... I was both confused and shocked when she said that

Belloukas: There we go. She has now a new slave crest
Naofumi: There was no need to get a new slave crest, you know?
Reed: 'Agreed, seriously why did we buy it, anyway?'
Raphtalia: I wanted it, as a symbol of your faith in me
Naofumi: If you say so
Reed: 'I think that what happened last night was more than enough, but ok'
Raphtalia: A-Anyway, Master Naofumi, um, what do you think?

I was with a deadpan face looking at him, because he was more focused on the shield rather than her, seriously, man?

Naofumi: Slave User's Shield, huh?... What is it?
Raphtalia: Nothing!... 'What about you, Reed, do you... like it?'
Reed: 'Well, you make it look good, especially given where it's placed'

She looked down, and a blush appeared in her face after she realized what I meant, heh, still fun

Belloukas: Still, I'm amazed you two helped that scrawny bag of bones grow so much in such a short time. Even if she's not a virgin, she's guaranteed to fetch you 20 gold pieces
Raphtalia: I am a virgin!
Belloukas: 35 then!
Reed: 'Damn, he really takes this business seriously'
Naofumi: 35 gold pieces, huh?
Reed: 'Yo! What the hell!?'
Raphtalia: Master Naofumi!
Reed: 'After everything you did to get her back?! Seriously, what's wrong with you?'
Naofumi: I wasn't serious about it, jeez... What's that?
Belloukas: A monster egg lottery. Pay 100 silvers, and you're guaranteed to at least a filolial! You'll win a monster chick that'll double in value if you raise it well
Naofumi: A Filolial?
Raphtalia: You must've seen them around. They're the large birds that pull carriages around town
Naofumi: Oh, those?
Reed: 'Yeah and I know of some people that really are amazed by those'
Belloukas: What's more, if you hit the jackpot, you'll win a dragon worth 20 gold pieces!
Naofumi: What, it's like a gacha game?
Raphtalia & Reed: A what now?
Naofumi: Nothing. Forget it
Belloukas: Would you like to give it a shot? Act now, and I'll you a package deal for that and the slave crest!