[Note: in some sources, the village is called Ryute and other sources call the place Lute. I'm going with Lute]
RYUJI POV
After getting lost like a complete idiot, I felt like I'd gotten further from the castle and decided to camp for tonight.
I set up camp and then roasted some monster rabbit meat, too hungry to worry about whether or not it was edible.
I summoned a nocturnal monster to keep watch while I went to sleep.
for the next few days, I continued my wandering until I eventually reached a small town.
After asking around I learned that the village is known as Lute Village and that I've been going south-west away from the castle.
with little knowledge of how to get back and that I've been racking up tons of monster parts, I decided to sell some parts I won't need to unlock monsters and gain supplies.
As I was about to head to an inn to rest for the night I was summoned by the chief of the village.
Chief: you must be that hero that I've been hearing about. the one that was summoned along with the four cardinal heroes
Ryuji: that's me. so is there something you need?
Chief: well as you may have heard the waves of calamity struck a village not too long ago and with many of the knights supposedly perished during the attack many wave monsters have resided in the surrounding territories. because of this many monsters have made their home in the mine so no one can enter
Ryuji: so you need me to help clear out the monsters
Chief: *nod* yes... but not just the cave. I'd like to ask that you aid the folks scouting the forest, I stutter thinking about what would happen if they encountered a monster they couldn't handle
Ryuji: I guess I should help since I am a hero. but I need to go back to the castle and regroup with my party
Chief: I understand but you don't need to worry about that. many of the villagers' relatives work in the capital, we could send word to them and let your party members know you're here. of course, we'll even pay for your work
I rubbed the back of my head since I was cool with either choice.
Ryuji: okay. I'll help deal with the monsters
Chief: thank you so much, sir hero
Afterward, I spent the next few days dealing with the monsters.
3RD PERSON POV
After being blamed for a crime he didn't commit, Naofumi resorted to acquiring a slave.
The slave trader named Beloukas began telling Naofumi about a race known as "Demi-humans" and their general use when they were sold as slaves.
After showing Naofumi the slaves at his disposal, Naofumi decides to purchase a sickly and malnourished young tanuki girl.
[Note: even though she is often called a "raccoon" demi-human, sources I've found say she is a "tanuki" or "raccoon dog" and not a raccoon. so I'm going to call her a Tanuki]
Beloukas took the girl to his workstation to begin the enslavement ritual.
Naofumi used a knife powerful enough to bypass his defense to cut himself then dropped his blood on magic ink.
Upon applying the curse, the Tanuki girl groans in pain.
Naofumi: what's with that?
Beloukas: It is nothing to worry about. The pain will dissipate soon
Once the process is complete the slave girl's HP and other stat have appeared in Naofumi's vision.
Naofumi paid Beloukas and approached the tanuki girl still feeling the pain of the curse.
Naofumi: now then... I guess I should know your name right? Tell me your name
girl: *cough*
Naofum: I said what's your name?!
Raphtalia: *flinch* i'm called Raphtalia
Naofumi: Raphtalia huh? let's go
Naofumi then dragged Raphtalia out of Beloukas' tent.
Days went by while Raphtalia was afraid at first especially since she was told to fight monsters for her new master, she didn't expect Naofumi to treat her well.
As the sun was setting, the two began traveling to a nearby village.
They stopped by a river to rest for the night.
Raphtalia: excuse me, master
Naofumi: hmm?
Raphtalia: who are you? what I mean is, who are you?
Naofumi: I'm a hero. the shield hero
Raphtalia's ears perked up.
Raphtala: you mean you're one of the four cardinal heroes!?
Naofumi: uh-huh
Raphtalia: pleas sir, what do they call you?
Naofumi: Naofumi Iwatani
Raphtalia: Naofumi... Iwatani... *cough*
Naofumi handed Raphtalia a medicine he just made.
Naofumi: drink this. its a medicine
Raphtalia drank the medicine but immediately spit it out.
Raphtalia: its bitter
Naofumi: *irritated* good medicine is supposed to taste bitter. now drink it, that's an order!
Naofumi activated the slave curse on Raphtalia and forced her to drink the medicine.
NAOFUMI POV
After traveling with Raphtalia for a few hours we reached the village of Lute.
As I entered the village so I could sell the monster drops, another Health bar appeared in my field of vision.
I glanced at the health bar and saw Ryuji's name.
Naofumi: *shocked* (Ryuji is here!? So he would automatically reregister as part of my party once we got close)
I decided to ignore it for now to find it.
after a while of searching, I met a merchant and tried selling the rabbit skin.
Naofumi: so how much?
Merchant: Hmm, I'd say two silvers. give or take a copper
Naofumi: really?... hey do you know any spot to earn how to earn money really quick?
Merchant: hmm. I'd say the ore in the mine could fetch a high price. but because of the first wave, it has become home to the more dangerous monsters
Naofumi: monsters huh?
Merchant: yup, these days the only one who goes in there is the extra hero who was summoned with the four heroes. The guy has been alternating between the forest and the mines to clear the monsters. *sigh* Are the four heroes lazy or something? They are letting an extra hero deal with the monsters by himself
After selling monster parts to the merchant Raphtalia and I went to the caves to mine ore.
we stopped by a shed near the mine entrance to try and absorb some mining equipment.
I checked the skills my new shield gives me and wanted to try it out.
I changed to my rope shield and then stretched out my arm.
Naofumi: airstike shield!!
suddenly a magic shield appeared in front of me.
I was surprised by how sudden and easy it was.
???: hey kid, what are you doing here?
I looked outside the shed and saw a familiar face.
Ryuji just showed up and was speaking to Raphtalia.
Naofumi: Ryuji!?
Ryuji noticed me standing inside the shed.
Ryuji: Oh Naofumi! good to see you, man
Ryuji approached me and reached his hand out for a fist bump.
I was surprised that Ryuji was talking to me like nothing happened.
He looked around as if he was searching for something.
Ryuji: hey where's Myne?
My blood began boiling at the mention of that bitch's name.
Ryuji: *surprised* woah dude why are you getting upset!?
I calmed down and realized he had no idea what happened in the capital.
Naofumi: it's nothing. and Myne... went back to Motoyasu
Ryuji: really? That is a shame. so why is there a kid here?
Raphtalia: *flinch* m-my name is Raphtalia. Who are you and how do you know master?
Ryuji: master!?
Ryuji looked at me as if calling me a pervert.
Naofumi: i-its not what you think!
He thankfully dropped that topic for now and went down at eye level with Raphtalia.
Ryuji: I am Ryuji Hashibira, and I know Naofumi because I am a member of his party
Naofumi: okay that's enough introductions. Ryuji why are you here?
Ryuji: huh? I thought you came here because you heard I was here? (why the heck is Naofumi acting like he's pissed off?)
Ryuji then explained to me that he got lost in the forest after Myne told him that he could help increase my level faster if he fought stronger monsters and ended up in this village and that the relatives of some of the villagers lived in the capital and promised him to let me know he was here.
After Ryuji finished his explanation, Raphtalia and I went into the mines to gather ore.
As we were walking into the mine, Ryuji was walking behind us.
Naofumi: why are you following me Ryuji?
Ryuji: *irritated* hey I'm still a member of your party. why are you acting like a prick after our reunion? besides even If we're not party members I told the village chief that I'd help him clear the cave of monsters and I'm almost done, and I've been tracking down this last one since yesterday
Raphtalia: excuse me, master?
Naofumi: what is it?
Raphtalia: I was just wondering about... I mean, how should I address you?
Naofumi: call me whatever
Raphtalia: o-okay then
Ryuji: you could try to act less like a douche to the kid you know
Naofumi: yeah whatever
Raphtalia: what about you sir?
Ryuji: who me?
Raphtalia: *nod* Yes
Ryuji: I'm fine with just Ryuji
Raphtalia: okay
3RD PERSON POV
The three kept on walking until they eventually reached a massive area in the cave.
Naofumi changed into his pick axe shield and started mining while Raphtalia watched.
Ryuji on the other hand was looking around for signs of a monster until he came across some footprints.
He got closer to investigate it.
Ryuji: (these seem fresh)
As the sounds of Naofumi mining echoed through the cave Raphtalia's ears perked up.
She then looked at a tunnel and began trembling.
Raphtalia then lets out a shriek in terror alerting the two heroes.
Naofumi: RAPHTALIA, WHATS WRONG!?
The two heroes looked in the direction Raphtalia was staring and saw an orthus.
Ryuji: AN ORTHUS!?
The monster lunges at the three with its two maws open.
Naofumi stood between Raphtalia and the monster while Ryuji brought out his hammer and swung it, knocking the beast to the side.
The monster shook off the pain and glared at Ryuji then charged at him.
Ryuji began swinging his hammer hitting the heads while evading the monster's teeth and claws.
The orthus began dodging Ryuji swings and attacked again but the hero dodged the attack.
The two dodged each other's attacks, becoming something akin to a dance.
Meanwhile, Naofumi held Raphtalia to try and calm her down.
Naofumi: Raphtalia calm down!
Raphtalia: *trembling* dog... dog monster... it killed my mother and father...
Naofumi: (so that's why she cries every night?) Raphtalia, your parents wont come back. It may be hard to believe but it's the truth
Raphtalia's tears continued to flow.
Naofumi: the only thing we can do right now is to make sure no other kids will go through what you experience
Raphtalia was surprised by Naofumi's words and began to feel a bit of courage but was still afraid.
Naofumi looked at the battle and saw that Ryuji was doing alright until the orthus grabbed his hammer with one of its heads and then bit him.
Ryuji: Augh!!
The monster tossed Ryuji to the wall and he dropped his hammer.
Ryuji groaned in pain as his armor and clothes were stained in his own blood.
Naofumi rushed in and smashed his pickaxe shield on the orthus which pushed the monster back.
Naofumi: you okay?
Ryuji: I'll be fine. What's up with Raphtalia?
Naofumi: If I had to guess, she got PTSD from the first wave
Ryuji got back up and switched to his sword and shield.
The orthus lunged to bite the two but the duo evaded by sidestepping to opposite directions.
The orthus attacked Naofumi.
Naofumi: Airstrike shield!!
Naofumi brought out a magic shield that blocked the attack but the beast reached around the magic shield with its long neck and bit Naofumi.
Ryuji jumped onto the orthus' back and stabbed it in the back.
The monster started flailing violently forcing Ryuji to use his sword to hold on tightly while Naofumi was being thrashed around.
Naofumi: Raphtalia grab your sword and help us kill this thing!
The orthus used its free head to bite Ryuji but he blocked it with his shield.
Naofumi: Raphtalia, kill it! That's an order!
The slave crest activated causing Raphtalia immense pain but her fear overpowered it and couldn't move.
Naofumi realized that she was too traumatized to move and decided to change his command.
Naofumi: fine just forget it!
The curse was deactivated which surprised Raphtalia.
Naofumi: if you can't fight then get the hell out of here!
Raphtalia: but...
Ryuji: just go! Naofumi and I will buy you time!
Suddenly memories of Raphtalia's past flashed before her eyes.
She held her sword and charged at the Monster and stabbed the head that was biting Ryuuji's shield and was flung off.
The Orthus let go of Naofumi and howled in pain.
Ryuji jumps off the Orthus and lands near Naofumi.
Ryuji: Naofumi, follow my lead!
Ryuji reeled his arm that was holding His shield then threw it at the monster.
Naofumi imitated Ryuji without thinking and somehow was able to throw his pickaxe shield.
Naofumi: *shocked* Huh!?
Naofumi was shocked that he could throw his shield.
The two shields hit the orthus in its living head and stunned it.
Ryuji: Raphtalia now!!
Raphtalia got back up and stabbed the orthus in the chest.
The monster roared in pain before collapsing on the ground and died.
Raphtalia ran towards Naofumi in tears.
Raphtalia: master Naofumi!!
She jumped onto Naofumi and caused him to wince in pain.
Naofumi: be careful, even with the shield's power this wound still hurts
Raphtalia: *crying* promise me you won't die... please don't leave me alone...
Naofumi patted Raphtalia's head to comfort her.
Naofumi: don't worry. the day that I die is the day when I can't protect anyone from an attack
Ryuji who was also in pain smiled as he watched the touching moment between the two.
However, the moment was suddenly interrupted by Raphtalia's stomach growling.
Naofumi: what!? hungry again!?
Raphtalia: *embarrassed* I'm so sorry!!
Ryuji: pfft hahahahahaha. Why don't we have lunch after cleaning this mess? my treat
Naofumi: I'll hold you to it
Raphtalia: thank you
After feeding the orthus to their weapons, the three then left the cave.