3RD PERSON POV
After Ryuji and Naofumi spoke with the doctor, they checked up on Raphtalia.
On their way, they were joined by Filo who had just arrived after eating fruit from their supplies.
They entered Raphtalia's room, just when the nurse was finishing bandaging her up.
Ryuji: how are you feeling?
Raphtalia: I'm alright. they have taken such good care of me
Nurse: I can't believe that corpses can inflict powerful curses like that
Ryuji crossed his arms, confused by what the nurse said.
Ryuji: (Isn't Naofumi the one who cursed Raphtalia?)
Raphtalia: I know, I shouldn't have been careless and got that rotten flesh on me
Ryuji: (oh, I get it. Raphtalia lied)
When the nurse was about to leave, she noticed Naofumi's gaze on Raphtalia and leaned close to her.
Nurse: *whisper* he cares very much about you, doesn't he?
Raphtalia: *blush* w-well I don't think...
Nurse: take care of Raphtalia. Bye
The nurse left the room.
Naofumi: I'm really sorry
Raphtalia: it's alright master Naofumi, it's just... I have this strange feeling that that strange power would take you somewhere far away and I couldn't bear that. Since I was able to stop you before that, I don't mind this at all
Ryuji: speaking of that power. Naofumi, what kind of shield was that? I've never seen you feed it something to become that
Naofumi: honestly, I don't know... but I think I somehow unlocked it after my duel with Motoyasu
Ryuji: with Motoyasu, how?
Naofumi: when they were removing Raphtalia's slave crest... I felt rage, I was so angry that the entire kingdom wanted to take everything from me and leave me in despair, all because I was the shield hero. After that, I vaguely remember seeing something in my vision, something called the curse series
Ryuji: cursed series? So that shield is called a curse shield?
Naofumi: no, it is called the wrath shield. it suddenly appeared when I thought Filo was killed. Everyone forgive me... you guys were in danger because I hesitated for a moment. Just as bravery and recklessness are different, the same goes for caution and cowardice. If I remain a coward, then I'll fail to protect the things I care about... I should've stepped up and distracted the dragon
Raphtalia: this isn't your fault Master Naofumi!
Filo: yeah, because Filo hates dragons and Filo got reckless
Ryuji: you're not the only one to blame, i practically forgot to summon all six monsters I've set my my monster party
Naofumi: you guys...
Naofumi smiled as he felt happy, that his friends were willing to forgive his mistake.
Filo: wow! You smiled master!
Raphtalia: it's true, you finally showed us an actual smile
Naofumi: did I?
Ryuji: The world must be coming to an end if Naofumi is smiling
Naofumi: *annoyed* Hey!!
Everyone laughed, even Noufumi after Ryuji's joke.
FIlo: oh, I almost forgot!
Filo reached in the pocket of her dress then brought out a purple stone and handed it to Naofumi.
Naofumi: what's this?
Filo: It's a crystal Filo found inside the dragon. After Filo had eaten, I ate my way out when Filo accidentally ate it
Raphtali: Filo, don't tell me you threw it up?!
Ryuji: that's nasty!
Naofumi: ughh!
Grossed by the question, Naofumi held the crystal in his fingers.
Filo: of course not! Filo wanted to give one to master so Filo saved some of it!
Naofumi fed the crystal to his shield but couldn't unlock a new shield due to his level.
Ryuji: Did you get a new shield?
Naofumi shook his head.
Naofumi: no. It seems my level isn't high enough for me to access. What about you, did you unlock any new monsters?
Ryuji: I did unlock a bunch of dragons and some skills, but it's the same with you and I couldn't use them yet
Naofumi: I guess this means we need to level up even more. Well since its late its time for us to sleep
Filo: yes sir!
Ryuji: see you guys in the morning
Raphtalia: good nightt
Everyone then went to their rooms to turn in for the night.
Days went by and the party was either busy clearing monsters to protect the village or treating the sick.
One day as the party was walking home, Filo suddenly looked in the distance.
Ryuji: Filo what's wrong?
Filo: something is going on over there
Filo in her filolial form points into the distance.
When the party went to investigate it, they saw a young girl surrounded by a flock of filolials.
Naofumi: a girl?
The filolials noticed the party approaching and ran.
Filo: *drooling* those birds look yummy. If we hurry we can hunt them down
Naofumi, Ryuji, and Raphtalia looked at Filo with surprise and disgust.
Raphtalia: Filo what do you mean by yummy!?
Naofumi: those are filolials like you
Filo: like me?
Ryuji: I guess filolials are cannibals
The girl who was left behind by the filolials stood up and looked at Filo with amazement.
Girl: so big... Are you truly a filolial?
Filo: do you mean Filo?
Filo tilted her head in confusion while the girl got excited.
Girl: so your name is Filo, and you can talk as well?!
Filo: *nod* mm-hmm, what's your name?
Melty: I'm Melty
Filo: then I'll call you Mel
Melty squealed in excitement.
Melty: I've always dreamed of talking to a filolial, and here I am now!
Melty brought out dried meat from her pocket.
Melty: want some? it's dried meat
Filo: thanks
Filo approached Melty and happily ate the meat.
While Filo was enjoying her snack, Malty started touching her feathers while the party was watching.
Raphtalia: do you think she's from the village?
Naofumi: no way, she's too well dressed. She's probably some noble family's daughter
Ryuji: if she's a Noble's daughter, why would she keep dried meat in her pocket?
Naofumi: she seems to be fond of filolias, so my guess is she knows they're gluttons
Naofumi looked at the two and scratched his head.
Naofumi: hey Filo, we still have some work to do in the village. You can play with her for now
Filo: you mean it?!
Melty: can she really?!
Naofumi: just be back by sunset
Filo: YAY!!
Filo got very excited she transformed, surprising Melty.
Melty: wow! you can transform too!?
Filo: sure I can
The two started to play while the party returned to the village.
Later in the evening, Naofumi was changing Raphtalia's bandages while Ryuji was looking at the levels of the party.
Naofumi: is something wrong?
Ryuji: I just noticed that Raphtalia and Filo have stopped leveling up recently. I'm checking their level to see what's up and I saw a star
Naofumi opened his status window and saw that Raphtalia and Filo were at level 40 with a star next to them.
Naofumi: we should probably ask Erhard about it
Suddenly Filo came into the room.
Filoa: master I'm back!
Naofumi: okay, glad you're back
Filo: I'm so happy that I made a friend today!
Ryuji: you mean that girl?
Filo: *nod*mm-hmm.
The two heroes looked at the status of the party, trying to figure out the meaning of the star.
Filo: She told me she traveled to all sorts of places just like me
Naofumi: uh-huh
Filo: then she told me other stuff I didn't know
Ryuji: that's nice of her
Filo: she then told me she got separated from her guard when she was playing with filolials
Ryuji: that's nice...
The two heroes processed what Filo said and were surprised.
Ryuji: wait what!?
Naofumi: seperated?
Melty came into the room, looking a little embarrassed.
Melty: I apologize for showing up so late
Ryuji: don't worry about it, it's fine
Naofumi: is there something you want?
Melty: could you... um, would it be a problem if I travel with you for a little while
Naofumi: why do you want to travel with us, what about your guards?
Melty: I was on my way to the capital and, um... when I saw those filolials I...
Ryuji: you went to play with them and got lost?
Melty blushed from embarrassment and bowed.
Melty: Sir Savior, I hear you and sir God...
Ryuji: you can call me Ryuji, calling me god during conversations is awkward
Melty: o-okay sir Ryuji. Would you please let me accompany your group to the capital?
Ryuji: sure, that's cool with me
Naofumi looked at Ryuji in surprise.
Naofumi: Hey Ryuji, we can't just take her with us!
Ryuji: well why not? we were planning to go there anyway
Filo: please master
Raphtalia: master Naofumi, we can't turn her away when she's in trouble like that
Ryuji: I guess you've been outvoted
Naofumi held his head in frustration and sighed.
Naofumi: fine, but you have to cough up some kind of reward you know
Melty straightened up.
Melty: of course! I'll ask my father, he'll be glad to
RYUJI POV
After we decided to let Melty come with us we spent the next few days traveling and facing off different monsters.
And finally, a day after a heart attack, because we thought Filo ate Melty, we reached the capital.
Just before entering, Naofumi hid in the carriage while I got in the driver's seat.
After entering the city, I parked the carriage close to Erhard's shop while being hidden.
Ryuji: okay it's safe to come out now!
After the others got out of hiding, I got off the carriage and Filo changed to her human form.
Melty turned to face us and bowed.
Melty: I really can't thank you all enough
Filo: master, is it alright if I take Mel home?
Naofumi: fine by me. Ryuji, why don't you go with them to collect the reward
Ryuji: me?
Naofumi: if her old man sees you, he might give even more money as compensation
Ryuji: alright, and what will you two do?
Naofumi: Raphtalia and I will head for the church to get holy water
Ryuji: okay, take care of that
Naofumi: same to you
Naofumi and Raphtalia made their way to the church.
Melty: shall we get going?
Ryuji: lead the way
We then left the alleyway, following Melty through the city.
As we reached the noble's district I noticed that we were getting closer and closer to the castle.
As I got more and more confused that we were getting closer to the castle a familiar voice called out.
???: hey there, Ryuji!
I turned around and saw Ake along with a few other knights and a cat demihuman mage.
Ake: You're here! there is a favor that we want to ask you and the shield hero
Ryuji: okay, what is it?
Ake: you see, Lute Village was our home town and we are grateful and inspired by how you two chose to protect it. So we want to ask if we can join you during the next wave
Ryuji: I can atleast let Naofumi know about it but it's not a guarantee that he'll let you since he has trust issues
Ake: oh, I see
Ake and the others made depressed expressions.
Ryuji: If he doesn't want you to join the rest of us can probably just outvote him
The knights perked up.
Ake: Really!? That would be great!
Just then Melty approached me with a shocked expression.
Melty: Sir Ryuji, is Sir Savior truly the shield hero?
I immediately remembered that most nobles in the kingdom hate Naofumi and Melty knowing it might make him the bad guy using false accusations.
Suddenly Ake and the knights were shocked and knelt down.
Ryuji: eh!?
Ake: welcome back Princess Melty
Ryuji: Huh!?
Filo: Mel are you a princess?
Melty: yes Filo i am
Ryuji: hold on, you're the princess of this kingdom!?
Melty: yes, Sir Ryuji please accept my apology for not properly introducing myself sooner. I am first in line to the throne, the second princess, Princess Melty Q Melromarc
My eyes widened in surprise after Melty introduced herself.
Melty: Please tell me if I'm correct, you're telling me that sir Savior, i mean sir Naofumi is the shield hero
I raised my guard.
Ryuji: yes he is
Melty: If you're acquainted with him and you can command monsters, does that mean you're the vassal hero that father summoned!? Why didn't you tell me?!
Ryuji: you never asked or properly introduced yourself earlier for us to do the same
Melty flinched and looked a bit embarrassed.
Melty: well, setting that aside, for now, I need to speak with the shield hero
Filo: what's going on over there?
We all glanced in the direction Filo was pointing and saw buildings are being destroyed.
Melty: did something bad happen?
Ryuji: I'll check it out. "Summon"! Yian Kut-Ku!
I raised my weapon and summoned a Yian Kut-Ku that I named "Akashiro"
I got on Akashiro and held on to his reins.
Ryuji: Let's go Akashiro!
Akashiro: *roar*
Melty: wait sir vassal hero!
I flew off on Akashiro's back and headed for the city.
After a few moments, I saw that Naofumi and Motoyasu were fighting in the streets.
I looked around to survey the damage and realized that the whole town was in a brawl.
Ryuji: Akashiro, let's put an end to it
Akashiro: *roar*
Akashiro spat fireballs in front of them and got everyone to stop and back off.
I flew down and Akashiro landed between the two fighting heroes.
Ryuji: what the heck is everyone doing!!?
NAOFUMI POV
After arriving in the city the Mel girl left to talk to her father with Filo and Ryuji accompanying her.
Raphtalia: I think we'll miss her
Naofumi: I'm sure we'll see her again. Come on, let's go to the church
Raphtalia: alright
Raphtalia and I made our way to the church to buy holy water.
We walked through the halls and I could hear the many nuns and priests mumbling to each other.
I figured that they didn't like me being here from what Ryuji told me but I decided to ignore it.
Suddenly an old man in a pope's get-up walked towards me with two attendants.
Every nun and priest knelt down.
Pope: I welcome you to our humble church sir shield hero, I saw your magnificent duel at the royal palace. So, what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?
Naofumi: spare me the plesantries. I need the strongest holy water you got to get rid of a curse
Pope: holy water, is that it?
Naofumi: yeah
The pope looked at a nun, and the nun left.
Attendant: please make your offering
Naofumi: and that would be?
Attendant: if you want the most powerful one, then it would be one gold coin
I already expected the price of holy water to be high so I wasn't surprised.
Naofumi: fine by me
I gave the attendant a gold coin and after a few moments, the nun that left earlier came back with a bottle of holy water.
I used appraisal just in case they tried to cheat me and found out they brought me the weakest one.
Naofumi: *glare* you want a gold coin for that?
After I told them the issue the pope seemed to scold the nun and brought me the one I paid for.
I used appraisal again to be sure and Raphtalia and I left.
On our way back to the carriage, we were suddenly ambushed by Motoyasu.
we dodged his attack which caused some damage to the street.
Naofumi: you're attacking me in the middle of the street!? What's wrong with you!!?
Motoyasu: Shut your face!
Motoyasu attacked me again but I blocked his attack.
Raphtalia: Master naofumi!!
Naofumi: stay back Raphtalia!
I then shoved Motoyasu's spear away.
Motoyasu: where is that slave girl?
Motoyasu attacked again but I switched to my "Rathian shield" (which resembles a Rathian's tail) and parried his attack.
Naofumi: huh!? what are you talking about? Raphtalia is right there
Motoyasu: I'm talking about that blonde girl who is like Freyon from hell world
Naofumi: wait Filo?
Motoyasu: so Filo is her name. How can you make her your slave? I actually have this thing for angels
Naofumi: *monotone* i don't care
I was completely dumbfounded that Motoyasu is both a creep and a perverted lolicon.
Motoyasu: I love otherworlds!! And I love that beautiful blonde angel
I sighed at Motoyasu's idiotic declaration when I noticed he was wearing a crotch guard.
Naofumi: pfft! Dude, what's with that?
Motoyasu: eh?
Motoyasu looked at his crotchguard and got angry.
Motoyasu: oh yeah, I almost forgot. That dumb bird is yours, isn't it? I'm gonna send you and that bird of yours to hell and save Filo!
Motoyasu started launching attacks at me.
Even though I blocked every single attack, Motoyasu is recklessly endangering civilians and destroying the town.
For some reason, the dudes in town started a brawl.
Just when Motoyasu was about to attack again, fire started raining from above.
Naofumi: what the!?
Motoyasu: What's going on!?
When the fire died down and the people stopped fighting, a Yian Kut-Ku and Ryuji landed between me and Motoyasu.
Ryuji: what the heck is everyone doing!!?