Written by Oblivon2991

Proofread: The usual drunken gang of misfits

Thank you for reading my fanfiction and for giving me a chance.

My mother tongue isn't English, so please be patient about the grammatical issues.

I don't own One Punch Man anime/manga/webcomic, it belongs to ONE.

I don't own The Rising of the Shield Hero (Japanese: 盾の勇者の成り上がり, Hepburn: Tate no Yūsha no Nariagari), it is written by Aneko Yusagi.

Please review, or send a PM if you have anything to add or have questions or remarks.

Thank you!

Now let's start the story!

Chapter 10: King of Dread

"Ahhhhh!" King screamed, shouted as loud as his weak, burning lungs allowed.

Awaiting the unavoidable collision with the wall, the feeling when the boulder of rolling death behind them pushes out their insides like he usually does with the tube, and the toothpaste.

"Eh?" Yet, he didn't feel such a thing. He is still running, and yet, under his feet, there is still flooring. "Hah! I did it! We survived!"

Yet, before he could cry tears of joy, the ground slipped from his feet, starting to roll down with the two girls — and the bird — on a very long slope.

"Gooo!"

"Lord King! What's happening?"

"Just roll with it!"

Not as he can do anything else. He definitely can't stop this ride anymore!

Like some endless ride in some absurd funfair or water park, they rolled for a long time! Turning left and right, and all around, doors opening and closing along the way. All of this gave poor King and his group nausea in an overwhelming sense.

"I am glad I didn't eat anything! But still… I am going to puke."

King's face clenched and contorted from the accelerating speed, gaining new strange colours over their journey.

This experience definitely made the "Strongest Hero" remember his journey in that "Shield Ball" — under the first wave. If he had to compare them, he was not sure he could say which was worse.

"Should I form a ball for protection?" He considered the idea for a moment but right away discarded it. It would just make all of this worse! Neither it can really slow them considering the width and the height of this place. "We need to slow down!"

He tried to find something to clamp or grab into, or some protrusion he can throw some rope to stop themselves. But he spotted nothing that can be used.

"Let's try this…" Fortunately, he asked Erhard to implement a few gadgets in his armor, as such, pushing a button on his wrist, sharp spiky things jumped out.

These things originally used to make climbing easier and block bladed weapons with his wrist protectors if needed, in this case, they will be used to slow their slide.

"I saw them in one of the manga. I thought: the guy used them, why not me?"

Unfortunately, they were less than adequate to stop and support three people rapidly sliding downward.

The moment King put down his wrists to slow their advance, the metal gave in, with a loud clang the spikes broken — only throwing a few sparkles and shrapnel, showing at least it tried to fulfill its purpose.

"Shit!"

King searched for another plan, but after minutes of trying and failing, and still going downward and all around, he simply gave up.

The man crossed his arm with an ever growing pressure in his stomach and with a grim expression on his face, tried to hold everything as they should be.

"Not good. Really not good. We fell from one trap to another."

Long minutes passed as they slid and rolled deeper and deeper in this endless-looking maze. Changing direction, and rolling through several side tunnels along the way.

"How big is this thing?"

Adding the maze above, this must be a whole necropolis buried underneath that creepy swamp!

"I don't know." He really had the bad feeling they were just going around and around endlessly.

"We have been heading downward since we fell into this place. But with magic, it is not impossible to create some loop, I guess."

Some kind of teleportation loop, or something? He theorized that must be the case. But being he was far from being an expert, he could only guess.

"Well, at least we got some breather."

"Look out! It is ending!" Scarlet shouted from behind him, pointing forward.

"Huh?"

And just as abruptly they fell into this place, they managed to get out. The wall opened before them one last time, all four falling to the hard stone floor — Naturally, everyone landed on King, forming a nice pillowy pile.

"Eiii!"

"Typical…"

"Chirp!" And of course, the little bird was still there, sitting comfortably on his head, the two girls on his back.

"I hate my life…"

"We… survived." Even King was surprised and approved of Scarlet's announcement.

"Yeah, we did, but at what cost?" The bile was still in his throat, but he just couldn't throw up. How messed up is that?

"Really? I-I mean! Of course, we survived! All thanks to my Lord's crafty plan!"

For a moment, Raphtalia sounded unsure. But King didn't blame her, he would be the same when it comes to him.

"But why does it still feel bad?"

"Chirp…"

"Where are we?" They took a short breather, extremely exhausted after running so long and intensely. "Even doing nothing while we headed down unstoppable. It was mentally exhausting to think we could die at any moment."

"Here, drink some water." King offered. He felt his mouth dry. The girls must also be thirsty after such a journey.

"Thank you!"

"This is the central chamber, I think."

Looking around, they were in a huge hall in a dome shape. The walls looked solid, with no trace of the route they rolled down there. With only one exit on the other end, and some kind of altar in the middle, surrounded by several braziers holding statues — angelic in design.

"Hmm…" Flicking another coin, it bounced down from the wall. "So this is not an illusion," King concluded, knocking the wall after walking closer. "Yeah."

It was a kind of relief, he must say. No more trickery this time.

"How marvellous." Scarlet's grin grew wider, inspecting the carvings on the walls and the ceiling.

Engravings depict some kind of grand story in the murals. For a moment, she looked like all her exhaustion disappeared. The scenery invigorated her completely. "This… this is their story! Their fight, their triumph and loss!"

Loss? It doesn't sound too encouraging. That's for sure.

"Wait… what loss?" She never said anything about some loss! Is it possible for those walls to be engraved with the future events divined by some sage? Their loss? "Nah! That would be ridiculous."

King snorted, looking around once more, spotting something that froze the crimson essence circulated in his veins.

"Raphtalia, look…" King pointed towards the grand door that was the other end of this hall, then pulled his finger all around.

"The-They are…!"

"More of those things." King was filled with uneasiness just looking at them.

Indeed, in a neat place, on pedestals that were embedded in the walls, more of those mechanical guardians stood. They were motionless currently, yet, their looming presence and glowing eyes still raised the fear factor in King once again.

"There is no way we can beat them." Two moss-covered and eroded things were enough to corner them and almost end their life. And there is basically a lesser army of them here!

"We are exhausted already. Running for long from those boulders, avoiding the traps then sliding down in that endless maze. I thought it was bad enough. But this? Horrible!"

"We need to find a way out." This was not a mission anymore they can continue! This was a nightmare!

"Well... You came along even after hearing the moniker who was buried here. It is partially your fault…" No! It was entirely his fault! He should have enough common sense to grab Raphtalia's hand and say: Thanks, but no! I have no mood to die!

"Heh…"

King gave out a small sour laugh. Something he only intended to do to cover his horror about their situation, and his terrible decision.

"Lord King truly fearless. Even seeing these beings standing all around, he laughs at them as nothing." Alas, that was what Raphtalia thought.

"I agree…" But no matter how she wished to see him fight and triumph against overwhelming opposition. No matter how much she trusted King's strength, she trusted his judgment even more. He was right; they needed to get out!

"Wha-what!?" Almost hysterically, the red girl spun towards them. "Bu-But we already reached this far! Farther than anyone else!"

Compared to the attitude she showed them until now, this was indeed a sharp change.

"Miss Scarlet, please, listen to Lord King. If those things come to life once again…"

"No! I came this far! With or without you, I will not relent! I would complete this mission alone if I had to!" She was anxious, it was evident. The face of a woman who is willing to do horrible things in order to complete her mission.

"M-My Lord?" Raphtalia started to turn concerned hearing Scarlet's sudden announcement.

The teasing girl completely disappeared, replaced with a panicking child who is on to lose something very precious. "What should we do? Should we…?"

King remained silent for a moment, thinking hard about how to proceed.

"I see no way out. Aside from that door on the other side." There might be a switch or mechanism that may reveal another exit. But the chance is also here that it could trigger those golems or some other trap — Something, he rather not risk.

"The hole we fell through also closed, completely disappeared and melted inside the wall." Looking once more around, he was unable to find it.

"It can't be helped; the only way is forward." Usually, the end of the dungeon also hides a way out. "But also, most dungeons end with a boss, usually…"

In this case, that enemy will be most likely that Nightmare Lord something. An encounter he would rather not risk as he was sure, he would piss himself the moment he sees that monster.

"The question still stood: what other choice do we have now?"

"Besides, I know no other way out," King admitted with deep bitterness.

"Bu-But… my Lord is always the way out before." Raphtalia was confused. How come he doesn't know now? How come he made this decision? "No! I need to trust him! Lord King will find a way! Yes, like before, he will get us out!"

"So… you understand?" Blinked Scarlet stunned by the sudden change of decision.

"Yes." He understood that he needed to get out, and he had no other idea. "That damn unstuck function is still inactive!"

Trying to activate it while they slid down for minutes, he only got the message: This function is blocked in this area.

"Which means, that even when I was willing to risk it, we still couldn't escape." He muttered under his nose. A sentence Raphtalia nonetheless overheard.

"What do you mean, Lord King?"

"It is obvious this place is built in mind so no one can escape it unless it completes the given task or trial."

All of it was too obvious, given the outline of this place.

"First, those guardians, then the illusion corridors and traps, and now this." Tracing back their steps was night impossible thanks to the sheer complexity of this place. "Also, because I kept my eyes shut some of the ways down there."

And they made several turns while their adventure lasted.

"But maybe, we just fell into a clever trap." A trap which was designed to give the illusion that they reached the next level.

"If that's the case. The builders just played around with us until now, and all the previous things we experienced were just made to sway us into a sense of false security."

Of course, that was the worst case possible. But in his case, King was willing to consider it as the side effect of his rotten luck.

"Any idea how to proceed? Is the legend saying anything about it?" King aimed his question at Scarlet.

Game lore usually describes how to get through the dungeon. If Scarlet came here researching this place beforehand, she was their best chance to get out.

"We need to face a trial."

"How obvious…" Face the trial and you shall pass! That was the most ordinary thing people encountered in a dungeon delving story.

"We passed the trial of entrance. The trial of escape. Now comes the trial of absolution."

"Trial of absolution?" Whatever it meant, King didn't like where it was going. Wait!? Does she know the previous stuff too? Why didn't she say?

"Wait?! How did she know about the first two trials?" If he didn't consider all of it suspicious. Now King was sure this girl knows a lot more than she initially shows.

"Yes, the heroes who sealed Drednacht went through trials while they defeated the dread. Five tales explaining their fight against the terrible Emperor of Nightmares."

"And what does this part tell?" Always read the game lore, if you want to understand the weakness of a certain enemy, or find a way forward. "Alas, that's how consistent games developed."

He should have asked Scarlet and Raphtalia to tell him the whole story. But he was not interested. Why? Because he was sure it was some kind of horror story — judging from the name of the main villain!

"The trial of absolution. Our current trial… In this book, the heroes made their escape after Drednacht defeated them."

A whole book? Are you joking with him!? Isn't it just a simple story adults used to scare children to behave?

"…Beaten and exhausted, barely escaping after their defeat, they needed to find a way forward. Thus, they made an oath. Absolving their sins, they started their preparation, searching for a way to grow stronger and overcome the dread. For their effort, a goddess sent them her heralds, helping their just cause."

As Scarlet explained, King inspected the angelic statues. Each of them held a brazier, positioned around the small altar — all depicting some kind of figure. All are marked with different symbols.

"I wonder if they are part of the solution."

While King carefully moved his eyes between the altar and the golems embedded in the walls, Scarlet explained the details of the story. Naturally, King listened and absorbed every part of it — no matter how horrific it turned out.

"I made a mistake not listening to the "lore" previously. I will not fall into that trap anymore."

"So, do you have any idea how to proceed?" Finishing her tale, King asked, trying to force the thought on his stubborn self that this time they can proceed more smoothly.

"Well, actually. I might have one."

"..." King said nothing but raised his brow. Urging her to continue.

"That monument in the middle, it resembles what the legend describes. The altar of absolution, with the chalice of oath. It is surrounded by the seven angels of the goddess, who came to give their blessing to the heroes."

"And?"

"I think we need to repeat the ritual. Just like in the book…"

"And are you sure it will work? If not…" That may even activate some kind of trap that finally ends them. "I bet it will be those golems that will start attacking us."

"Well, we can't know if we can't try. Don't we? Now give me a moment to gather my thoughts and come up with the solution." After grimacing, almost mocking, the girl inspected the walls and the altar. Spending at least an hour contemplating the solution.

"Huh…"

"Chirp…"

"Are you hungry, little one?"

"Chirp!" Hearing his new pet's approving sound, he fed her with some seeds they bought from one of the traders in the town.

"According to that man, this little one is a Filolial."

He offered King plenty of coins for her, saying she had a quite strange feather composition and is interested to show it to his friend who is dealing with Filoilal breeding and selling — implying a new breed that may sell well.

"I rather not sell her yet." Ever since his goldfish died out of an "incident", King hasn't had any other pet. Having this Filolial is his first pet ever since.

"With my hero rank and the constant threat around me, I felt it would be too much responsibility and cruelty towards those little things. Keeping a pet back in my world seemed just nah in my situation." He might be an unbeatable master when it came to dating sims but had little idea how to handle animals and people. Taking care of a pet would be too much.

"But I can't help but feel I need to keep her." Those big blue eyes, that fluffy feather! And it was like she always smiled at him!

Who can say no to her? He felt some kind of connection to this little bird. Almost like she truly understands the struggle he is constantly facing.

"I spoke with her when Raphtalia slept. I felt better afterwards." He had no heart to break Raphtalia with the cruel truth about himself. The girl trusted a nothing-to-good NEET like him too much to back away now.

"She is like a therapy animal people use to speak their true feelings out without revealing them to anyone else. It helps the spirit."

Despite looking like she understands him, King was sure the little one was just a simple animal. Doing as she understands him, but actually just obliges. Something that was more than enough for his strained spirit to recuperate after the constant pressure he is facing daily.

"Chiiirp!"

She cooed when King caressed her feathers. Feathers taking the color of black and golden.

"Heh, cute."

Nonetheless, if he wanted to become a better person, he needed this kind of responsibility! Taking care of a pet was the perfect practice.

"According to that breeder, these kinds of birds can be used as mounts or tow carriages."

Another big reason to keep her — aside being his therapy animal.

Trained mounts cost a fortune!

Even the cheapest Filolial was out of the range of their budget.

King realized early, they lacked the funds to buy even one. It was a lot cheaper to raise one themselves.

"According to that man, they grow up fast. A few weeks and we don't have to walk everywhere."

Albeit, the training will take effort, he was sure, that asking for advice from someone who dealt with similar mounts can solve this issue.

"Chirp!"

"Hmm, what name should I give you?" It was shameful, but he didn't yet give her any name after being together for a few days. He just calls her a bird all the time.

"Should I ask Raphtalia? Maybe she knew a few fitting names."

She has lived in this world since her birth, after all. Maybe she knows a good, fitting name.

"Giving names to a character is always the hardest part. Most of the time, it is not cool enough, or taken."

"Ummm!" Meanwhile, Raphtalia watched with a pout and jealousy as King caressed their new companion.

She needs to find a way to get back her Lord's full attention, else, she will lose to a mere bird! She is not willing to lose to a mere Filolial! Naturally, she was also too stubborn to go there and ask her deserved praise and pat.

It was bad enough she received her encouraging pats rarer and rarer as the days go on.

"Ah! maybe that name will do fine! Let's call you…"

"I got it!" But before King could utter the name, Scarlet disturbed the sacred naming ritual.

"Huh? So you found a way?"

"Yes, I am confident! Now then! Please stay back,

Scarlet started to walk towards the small shrine in the middle, lighting up the braziers in a certain order, then kneeling down and starting to pray.

"We solemnly swear to overcome the dread haunting our lands. Absolving our weaknesses and sins, we will turn them into our strengths. Whatever it takes, our courage, might, wit and finesse will be our guiding principle. To protect what's dearest, we overcome this challenge and triumph. Drednacht will fall, we solemnly swear. The Nightmare will end! Goddess, give us strength!" Cutting her hand, she poured some of her blood into the chalice.

"What a lame oath…" King thought internally. He was sure he could have come up with a hundred times cooler-sounding one.

"Is it working?"

For a moment, the whole structure started to tremble, but just a second later stopped.

"Is that it?" King was glad, he feared the worst for a moment.

"Nothing happened." Raphtalia blinked, looking around confused.

"Well… according to the tales, the heroes after their escape, swore their oath, absolving their sins under the guidance of the seven archangels, and went on a journey in order to find a way to overcome their seemingly unbeatable opponent. Garner strength. I just acted according to the tale, swore the oath, and lit the braziers accordingly. All traces around implied we needed to complete this oath to continue."

"Well, it doesn't look like anything changed." Commented King, his unamused eyes scanned the environment for any threat that might appear to kill them.

"Maybe we all need to do it?"

"I think… that's not necessary. Look! The door is opening; we just need…" But the door didn't open, more so, another layer was erected around it, and a barrier emerged for further protection.

"Well, this isn't going as I planned. It should have worked, I don't understand." Scarlet looked confused, moving her eyes between the braziers and the chalice in the middle, then back to the door.

"You don't say." They were lucky the golems were not activated. Maybe they have another shot.

"Like in games. If you fail, you have multiple tries." He only hoped the next will not bring forth their end.

"I think we should investigate this trial together. Maybe, we can figure something ou..."

"Hmm, I have another idea. Let me try it first."

"I don't think that's a good idea. We should…" But of course, Scarlet didn't listen to King. Why would anyone listen to him? The girl just tried it again, using a slightly different method.

"I got this!"

"The statues!" Raphtalia called out suddenly, recognizing the magical golems one by one stepping out from their pedestals and making their way into the middle.

"Shite…" King swore. He knew this would come, but he still hoped he was wrong!

"I was happy too early. Why am I like this? Why does the world hate me?" Every time when he is a little bit happy, the world just has to stomp out that little glimmer of hope. What did he do to deserve this?

"What we should do! Their numbers…"

Their eyes blazing up in a never seen intensity, their numbers darken the sky of every world — or, alas, that's how King would describe them. Seeing those things closing really made him recall a scene from a game, where an ancient dread explained the return of their kind this way.

"The door! It is disappearing!"

It was not enough, it was sealed tighter before, but now it disappeared completely! The door which until now was clearly visible, melted into the wall, disappearing without trace.

"Dammit! It didn't work either!"

"What did you do this time?" King wanted to facepalm. This was ridiculous! It didn't work once, why she think it work the second time? It was not some electronic device that "miraculously" fixed itself if you tried enough.

"I tried it again a little bit differently. But it seems, this didn't work either."

"We can see that. So, is that supposed to happen?"

"Probably not. Maybe I missed something?" The girl pondered, going dizzy for a moment. "We should…" King tackled Scarlet away at the last moment, protecting her from a coming magical projectile.

"What the hell am I doing?" Every time he did something like this, he reconsidered if his sanity was still intact, or if he lost anything important arriving in this world. "I am definitely starting to lose my touch with reality."

"I…I…"

"Are you alright?"

"Ge-Get off me!" Scarlet tried to push King's towering form off, visibly blushing and embarrassed staring down by the mighty hero.

"Lord King! We can't possibly hold out against these things!"

Raphtalia judged the situation perfectly, seeing the sluggishly closing wall of golems, those kept their fire up periodically, their situation looked Grimm.

"Any idea what went wrong?"

"I don't know; I did everything as it should. Lit the braziers of absolution. Then swore the blood oath!"

King watched her suspiciously for a moment, before turning his gaze back to the slowly closing golems.

"Our only luck is that there are only a few of those gun-wielding golems, the rest seemingly close quarter ones." And of course, they approached painfully slowly.

"Almost like the ones who designed this place wanted to give the invaders one last chance before annihilating them. Before getting overwhelmed by these things." The gun mechas are only there to stimulate the invaders to hurry up seemingly. "Yeah, it definitely feels that way."

He felt that if they mess up once more, something even more horrific would activate. Something that will be the last nail in their already nicely prepared coffin.

"I met similar mechanics in RPGs, designed to haste the player to make a mistake or concentrate on the given task." Hastening their passage or urging them to be better next time.

"Wh-why are you looking at me like that? I-I…"

"No matter." King shook his head, standing up.

Though, his expression was passive — like always — His stare incited an entirely different thought in Scarlet.

"What do those symbols mean on those statues?" He should have asked before? Why didn't he ask before? They should have done this together from the start!

"Maybe my trust in her knowledge about this place was misplaced?" It definitely seemed that way.

"They are the challenges the heroes overcame to absolve their sins. They are written in an ancient language. The first carries the number 13, the second is 2, the third…"

"Numbers?" What the hell is this girl speaking about?

Those symbols don't resemble the written numbers from Raphtalia's world, that's for sure. However, King discovered some similarities between them and the symbols used in his own world's language.

"The ancient heroes used a long lost code language amongst each other and their followers to hide their intentions from the great evil. Often, the codewords they used are marked by numbers. Amongst these, the number of 13, 2, 11, 17, 3, 29, and 23 represents the struggles, and sins the heroes overcame to fulfill their mission. Just in this order, the heroes overcome their weakness and gained the means to triumph. The seven archangels marked with numbers on these statues too."

"Hmm, I see…" Those numbers were awfully familiar to King, like he heard them somewhere else. "Aren't those…?"

"Ah! Lord King! We need to hurry!"

"Chirp!"

"Prime numbers…?" Amidst the slowly closing rumble of the golems, and the explosion of shells, the faint memories of elementary school maths lessons came to his mind, flashing before his eyes those numbers. "Though, some of the prime numbers are missing from the series it definitely seems that way…"

"Prime what?" Both Raphtalia and Scarlet gave King a confused look.

"You lit those braziers in that order? 13, 2, 11, 17, 3, 29, and 23?" For long moments, King even forgot the closing danger.

"Ye-Yes. Of course! They came one after another in this order in the book of absolution."

It might be a stupid idea, but they had no other choice. "Besides, until now, there was always some logic behind these trials." What worse can happen if he messes up anyway? "We would probably die." His sense of reality strikes again, as usual.

"Lit again those braziers on the next order! 2, 3, 11, 13, 17, 23, 29!"

"Why? That's not the correct order!"

"Just trust me!" Normally, he wouldn't ask this. But he had no other idea at the given moment. Any lateness might cause certain death!

"Are you sure?"

"Yes…?" He was not sure, of course. But amongst all, this idea was the least stupid.

"I will do it! Cover me!" Getting up, Scarlet did so again, but before she could offer her blood sacrifice again, runes started to glow up around the chalice. "Only the essence of a true hero might open the way? A triumph earned by blood and sweat…"

"What?!" From the closing rumbling of the ancient constructs and their ever more precise shots, King was unable to hear what she said.

"Only the hero's blood can open the way! It is written here!"

"Lord King! Go! We will cover you."

"Umm… ok, I guess." The only problem was that he was not a hero at all. He was just a coward who was mistakenly summoned into this world! Even the most beginner C-class hero would be more worthy than him!

"Lord King! Hurry!"

Having no other choice, he ran before the chalice and grabbed the dagger that appeared on the side. Unfortunately, as usual, his shield once again repelled the weapon, giving him a stinging numb feeling on his entire arm.

"Auch!"

The dagger ricocheted away just the right angle to cut down a few breadths of his hair which fell into the crucible — almost slashing across his eye was just another bonus. Naturally, King once more cursed his luck, he didn't need another scar across his eye.

[THE USE OF ANY NON-SHIELD TYPE WEAPON IS FORBIDDEN FOR THE LEGENDARY SHIELD USER! WEAPON REPELLED IN ORDER TO BLOCK THE VIOLATION OF RULES!]

Once more, that annoying message appeared on his HUD.

"This damn thing wants my death!"

"Now what?" With the dagger disappeared, he lost the means to sacrifice his blood to this thing.

Naturally, he by no means wants to harm himself.

He was not even sure he had enough mental strength to cut even a little bit of his hand, nor possessed the willpower normally.

But to take away the mere chance from himself to do it? That was the new low!

"Now I know, my Legendary weapon hates me." It was almost like he heard a teasing, mocking laugh in the distance. Mocking him and his weak attempt. Wishing for his death!

"There must be a way! There must be a way!"

Raphtalia barely managed to avoid those blasts, she was definitely out. She couldn't come here to cut him a little. Scarlet? Maybe she can't even scratch his skin due to the stat and level difference.

Unfortunately, he saw no other way out.

"I can't do this…" Losing the chance to do it, King's shoulders slumped. Starting slowly to lose all semblance of hope, close to falling into total despair.

In his ears, the closing rumble of giants already reverberated.

"What?" Scarlet turned to him bewildered. "You need to do it, else we…!" The first time they dropped in this situation, she was truly scared.

"I am not a hero, just a fraud. I can't do this…" He mumbled again, turning his eyes towards Scarlet and Raphtalia.

[ド Rumble! ド]

"I…" The moment of truth, he will reveal it! There was no way back. But does it really matter in the end? They will die anyway!

"I am…"

Turning back, he leaned over the chalice once more, tears started to pour from his eyes.

He was not strong enough to reveal the truth while looking at Raphtalia. Crushing her hopes was bad enough as it was! But being the cause of her closing death was even worse!

Looking at her eyes was too much!

"I am sorry! This is not what I wanted!" Every time he tried to change, he failed. Every time he tried to reveal the truth, something happened that blocked his attempt! But this was the end! Those things closed on them with each moment! They were almost there! A minute or so and they will reach them anyway!

"There is no escape anymore…"

His eyes watered, and tears poured into the crucible, making the blood of Scarlet mix with the Strongest Hero's tears and the few breadths of a hair.

"I am sorry. I am such a failure!"

"Lord King! It is working!"

"Huh?"

Combining all of these things fulfilled the necessary activation prerequisites, and the altar glowed up in a never seen intensity, washing through the whole place.

"I-It is working! You did it, Lord King!" Suddenly, they found themselves in a different room.

Smaller in scale, but filled with ten figures, sitting on their thrones. Full clad in armor and equipment — but definitely dead seeing their skeletal visage.

From the base of their thrones, golden liquid leading into the altar in the middle, some kind of magical circle and pentagram engraved both on the ground and ceiling. All eclipsing around the focal of the place.

"Of course! By blood and tears, they absolved their sins, and swore their oath! Overcoming their weakness, they became stronger by releasing their inner sorrow!" Scarlet quoted a passage from the book. "It is makes sense now."

"Chirp!"

"You did it, Lord King! You solved the riddle!"

"Indeed impressive." Somewhat regaining her composure, Scarlet adjusted her clothes again. "Just as expected from the Shield Hero."

"I did what?" King wiped his eyes. The only thing he did was panicking and crying.

"THERE IS NOTHING IMPRESSIVE IN THAT!" It was shameful and humiliating at best.

"Brave heroes!"

Suddenly, a heroic-looking figure popped up above the crucible. A mighty man, wearing full clad, slightly futuristic armor, and bearing legendary weapons, and of course, a tower shield.

His very presence gave them the feeling of a typical paladin archetype character. His majestic beard and golden eyes only added to the feeling.

"You came far. And overcome the challenges we set, to separate the worthy and unworthy. The just, and the evil."

"Are you kidding me?" What kind of joke is this? Is life mocking King again?

"We tested your endurance, your wits, and knowledge about our story. Your very will, courage and strength. The challenges we faced. But the biggest threat still lies ahead."

"Who is this?"

"The leader of the ancient heroes. Goddard the Unbreakable. He is… shorter than in the books." Scarlet muttered, stepping on King's side.

"I heard that…"

"Wha-What!?" Everyone was caught off guard when the projection deadpanned and glared at Scarlet. Even pointing at her lazily.

"Ho-How?!"

"I am no mere projection, child. Know this, a fragment of my soul lies buried here, sealed inside a Phylactery. Just under this altar."

"Great… just what we needed. A lich without a body." The least they now needed was an enemy like that.

"The legendary Lord! Please, I have so many questions!" Discarding everything else, like some nerd, or some crazy fan who saw King in a comic shop, Scarlet marched right before the altar. In her eyes, some craze which King was too familiar with.

"Wait?! Is she not even freaked out?!" The mere mention of this figure before them was some kind of undead made King's leg rooted to the ground, and she not even reacting to that? "What the hell!?"

"Lord King, should we trust this man?"

"Let's wait it out." He had no idea, he never met this guy or read his story. How should he know?

"I can answer your questions later, Scarlet Umbralich, the descendant of my comrade. But first, you need to answer the question. Have you come to finally put down the ancient threat? To fulfil your family's ancient oath?"

"I…"

"Her ancestor's oath?" This very much implied one or more of her ancestors tried and failed this trial before.

"I thought so." The great hero shook his head with a great sight.

"Wha-What oath?! Please! Explain!"

"So it is not passed down as promised." The ancient hero gritted his teeth. "In that case, it may already be too late. Only the three of you can't put him down."

"Oath?" King asked in the end.

"The Umbralich family… Her family is the descendant of one of my comrades, Faust Umbralich. The last of us we left behind, in order so he may prepare the next generation for the fight, against the dread who will eventually return."

"Bu-But according to the legends, you defeated him! Drednacht is dead!" Raphtalia shouted, already pale from the mere thought that something might return.

"We did our best, but in the end, the most we managed to do is to seal him here. Building this necropolis around his bound soul and shell in order to keep him imprisoned. Setting traps and safeties so his followers may never free him, and to test all who is ready, to face head on this challenge. We used our own souls to make sure he never escapes. But as expected, he will soon break free. It is only a matter of time… Once he is free, his terror will reign again."

"How much longer?"

"Years, months, or days. Even I am not sure how long I can hold him here anymore. My comrades had already given up, their souls were destroyed by his influence and terrible power. Only mine stands between him and his freedom. And I doubt the safeties which intended to destroy this place once that happens will be enough to stop his escape."

This was not good! They needed to get the hell out there before this old ghost too turned into an ectoplasmic goo, and with it, all chance is lost to flee while they can! Worse! That self-destruction mechanism triggers and they all die!

"So, there is no chance to stop it? Any safety measures? Anything that can help us?"

"There are a few, but it may be a worth notch in the long term. He will be free regardless if you fail here."

"Thought so…" Honestly, he was a fool to ask it. The answer was obvious anyway.

"But maybe, there is still a chance."

"Please, tell us, great hero!"

"Before I answer your question, descendant of Umbralich, answer me this. Who are these three brave people?" The vision pointed at King's party, who listened to this exchange in silence. "I feel the heroic spirit burning inside you. Maybe, you will be worthy enough to put down that monster, once and for all — Even if the chance is low."

"Thanks for the trust, we appreciate it." King urged himself to say this out loud. But in the end, he held his mouth shut. He somehow felt why this figure was so pessimistic. He was the same.

"There is no mightier hero than Lord King! He is the true and only Shield Hero. If needed, I am sure, he will overcome this challenge too."

"Chirp!"

"Raphtalia…" King placed his hand on the shoulder of the girl.

She will be his death one day. What is she doing again?!

These heroes who built this place were unable to defeat that thing! And she wants him to face it!? Is she crazy?!

"I feel only honesty, and trust from your world, young ones. So you truly trust this man and his might. Is he truly as strong as you say? Does he possess the craft and commitment this task requires?"

"There is no doubt about it." Nodded the Shield Hero's aide. "He saved many people, even me. He gave them hope and protected them, even risking his life. He faced enemies that even an army can't face, and survived. Alone, he defeated the second wave and more!"

"Chirp! Chirp!"

"This is too much, really…" King felt, that if Rapthalia continues to list these nonsense accomplishments, this ghost will simply start reading his mind, finding out how much of an impostor he is.

"But isn't that a good thing? Maybe, if I am deemed unworthy. We will be simply thrown out from this dungeon unharmed."

Of course, no such thing will happen. King already knew, that if he thinks anything positive, the world makes sure the opposite will happen.

"In the case, he doesn't read my mind, he will not realize how much a fraud I am." Entrusting something important like this to someone like him was the worst idea!

"This girl and this small creature really trust you, Shield Hero is it? I must admit, I never dreamed one of the cardinal heroes of the current age would visit this place one day. Moreover, reaching so deep. Most of you proved to be unworthy in the passing ages."

"But we are still here." Though, barely. He just wanted to fall into the bed and sleep out this nightmare. Wait?! Did he say most of them? He mean other heroes like him?

"Hmm, true. Though, quite surprising if I must say. We designed this place in mind so it may weaken Drednacht and keep him in the seal. Unfortunately, the side effect also weakens everyone trying to overcome the challenges we set. Including the Cardinal Heroes and their vassal wielders who suffer greater under the effect."

"So, no Cardinal Hero tried before?"

"A few, but most of them fled, unable to face this challenge. Fewer died, their bodies swallowed by this place."

"I knew it!" No wonder he felt like a beaten dog. This place basically designed to weaken him and his party,

"Due to your Legendary Weapon, I can't read you fully. So, tell me, Shield Hero. Are you up to the challenge? Will you put down this dread once and for all? Or you will too fall to the influence of evil?"

"Should I say yes? Is there a good answer for that question?" He really doesn't know. What should he answer for such a question?

"..." The ghost furrowed his brow, awaiting his further explanation.

"Honestly, I am not ready. I was never ready. I only know that if we want us to survive, we need to get out." King's voice was steady; his gulp was swallowed by the single throb of his King engine.

[ドRumble…ド]

"Shield Hero… are you truly?"

"M-My Lord." Even Raphtalia covered her mouth after hearing such an announcement, eyes tearing up seeing the relentless gesture.

If it came from her surprise or amazement, probably only she knew.

"Hmm! I hear no quivering from your words. And even the world answers your call with its mighty drum! So you are truly the one I am waiting for! Heh!" Suddenly, the grim expression of the former hero changed, turning into a cocky, playful grin.

"Huh?" What the hell is this guy speaking about?

"Though I wish to test the worth of the three of you more, we lack the time for that."

"He wanted more tests?" No wonder no one reached this point. These guys absurdly overscaled the difficulty of their dungeon. He may say, they didn't test it beforehand and were surprised no one passed in the live runs.

"It is like releasing the game raw and untested. It always ends in catastrophe."

"Take my fragment, and combine it with the medallion carried by the descendant of Umbralich. It will open the way to the chamber of dread. Shield Hero, I entrust it to you. Put that thing down, once and for all. Make sure so no one will need to suffer under his yoke anymore! But be aware, if you fail, a horror that may be even worse than the waves will be unleashed upon this world and beyond! Beware of his influence, and lying tongue, for it corrupted many! Even vassals and cardinal heroes. If you as well fell to that influence, your own weapon might turn on you — like they did in the case of previous heroes."

"Eh? What?" Come again? Did he hear it right? Other, more worthy carriers like him also failed? What is he even doing here?! He is the least qualified to do anything!

"It is unfortunate, but I have little choice in the matter. You passed the trial of worth. Hopefully, you will prove to be worthy candidates. I wish you all the might, wits and luck. You need it all for this close to impossible task."

"Yeah… I definitely need that."

For a moment, the hero's golden gaze turned to Scarlet, his vision softening. "Descendant of Umbralich, make good your ancestors' mistakes. Help these people to put down that villain, once and for all. I entrust the task to your hand. Do so, and the crime of your progenitor will be forgiven."

"I… I will do my best. I swear." This was no joking matter anymore, even Scarlet realized that — alas, that kind of expression she offered.

"I hope so, for your decision might bring the age of peace, or push the world into another dark age, without the light of the Supreme Being."

"Supreme what…?" Is he speaking about that goddess or something?

"Umm, a question. How do we…"

After giving them an approving nod, the projection dimmed for a moment before disappearing. From the altar, a single drawer emerged, containing a crystal releasing a golden light.

"Umm… hello?" King raised the still dimming stone. "Are you there? Is there another way out?"

The chance to ask him any other way out disappeared in an instant.

No answer came. Just what King feared.

"So, Scarlet… Do you have that medallion?" It can't be helped at this point. They do this, or they die here. The chance to ask the guy how to get out is seemingly lost with its disappearance.

He did not even tell them where his weapons were? Or what kind of techniques they use to defeat this monster. This meant that King lacked the means to do anything with his legendary weapon considerably weakened.

"Ah! Yes! I inherited it from my grandfather." From her cleavage, the redhead recovered an intricate medallion. Covered by strange symbols. It was indeed a splendid piece of art, definitely connected to this place.

"I also used this to enter this place easier. See, I needed to input the right combination here." She showed them the medallion and its ring-like composition. She was able to turn the outer and inner rings, making it function almost like some code lock that fits in the hole of one of the ten heavy doors all around.

"Should we try to put this into it?" They all glanced towards the exits in the place. At that exact moment, the fragment of Goddard shot out, fusing with the medallion. Like it had its own mind, the rings started to move in the pendant automatically.

"And it perfectly fits." The gem perfectly fits in the socket in the middle. Fusing together with the crystal once the operation is finished.

Right away, a ray of light shot out, hitting the stone above one of the ten heavy doors, and revealing the way!

"I guess, no other way out then." Just his luck playing the fool with him.

Just what this old ghost hero thinks!? How should they put down something they all failed to overcome?

"Let's get this over with."

Having no other choice, with heavy steps, King started to walk forth to the abyss black corridor.

He was not even willing to open his eyes, else, he might turn around now.

"Wait for me, Lord King!"

"Chiirp!"

"Truly fearless… A worthy man." Some kind of odd smile sneaked on Scarlet's face, following the group behind.

…

King's heart clenched, and throbbed ever slowly, and loudly since they stepped through that door. The entrance was sealed once more after they left.

[ドRumble…ド]

Since coming through that door, everything has changed. Not only had the style of the corridors become even more haunting, but even the aura of this place just felt wrong! Everything became chilly and sinistrous. The ominous feeling this inner chamber emitted was almost solid, dark and suffocating.

"And it is like something whispering in my ear…" King tried to hiss away the odd and haunting whispers, singing the Doki Doki Sisters calming tune and playing their music in his head in full volume.

"Doki-doki sisters all cute and quirky! 299 robot sisters who save the world…"

No way he wants to listen to some freakish voice. He even questioned his own judgement at this point - which brought him here in the first place.

Instead, King squeezed together his eyes, and walked. He rather not even witness the cause of his own death.

Besides, it was all dark here, even the torch they carried barely lit a few meters ahead - almost like some dark power swallowed its light.

"The Shield Hero is really fearless. To walk into that abyssal darkness without even faltering?"

"Indeed, my Lord knows no fear." Raphtalia announced.

"Chirp…" Though, slightly meek, and hiding Raphtalia's grasp, their new companion agreed.

Breathing took considerable effort from King's part, not to mention how chilly the air was here, basically, things started to freeze around.

"I can even see my breadth…" Trying to save his already frosting ears, King pulled up his hood, putting up his scarf around his mouth and nose, fixing them tight around his head.

[ドドドドRumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble! ドドドド]

Naturally, his unnaturally loud heartbeat just made it all worse. King can't help but this place immensely creeped him out.

Not the darkness, but the more and more ghostly voices that haunted his mind. It almost reached the point where they were louder than his blatant singing in his head.

"Lord King, I am sure you are excited to face such an opponent. But please, be calm. We can't tread carelessly."

"Who the heck is excited! I am just scared as hell! Doki-Doki sister fearless! Sisters, they are peerless…!"

Even the air is unnatural in this place, not to mention the atmosphere made him tremble in his boots. From time to time even ghostly figures appeared to warn them from something ahead.

"No! Don't even open your eyes! Keep it close! They will go away! They are just ghosts! They can't hurt you!"

King, of course, tried to turn around and run away, but the girls behind him blocked the path. Thus, as the last resort, he simply stopped, playing the act named "standing dead" until the ghost floated away, keeping his eyes tightly shut.

"Yes! We can't turn back now! If what the ancient hero said is right, if we can't put Drednacht down now, he will once again be unleashed in the world." Scarlet explained. Something that didn't reach the Shield Hero's ears due to his immense effort to keep all manner of voices out of his head.

"My Lord would never allow that!" Raphtalia announced bravely. Thanks to King's paragon presence and him walking confidently before them, all her fear had been replaced by a fearless determination.

Even the ghosts didn't scare her at this point. She even ignored those sneaky words some outsider being put in her ear since they entered here. King's paragon example was enough to steel her mind against all unsightly effort.

Yet, the truth is, all those who read this story were well aware, that King had to put extra effort not to stop now, and turn around, simply giving up on this whole farce. Better said: Running away like a scared little girl.

Even now, his pace has slowed bit by bit…

"This Shield Hero… he is unlike anyone I have ever seen."

"What do you mean, Lord Goddard?" Scarlet's question was aimed at the medallion, that floated on their side and escorted them.

"Don't you see? He gathered all those wraiths haunting his place, keeping them under control with his sheer will. He even stepped out of my protective aura…" And indeed, around King, a lesser army of shadowy figures floated, almost completely surrounding him. Horrific beings, bearing the agonizing and evil face of the dead. Meanwhile, around Goddard and the girls, a dimming barrier of holy light was visible.

"If not for him keeping them in leash, they would have already swarmed us. Even my power would not be able to keep them at bay. Worse, tore us apart, devouring our very essence in an instant! They are beings who feed on emotions like fear, despair and sorrow. Draining people dry until they become empty husks… like them."

"Wha…!? You should have warned him! What if Lord King…?!"

"I tried it girl, but he already closed his mind. My voice can't reach him."

"I hope he is alright. If Lord King would fall…" No! That can't happen! Raphtalia denied that possibility with all her being! Yes! Her Lord surely knew all of this, that's why he went forward to protect them from harm!

"The evil presence here grew immense in the passing years. We can't tread carelessly! Even with me around, the danger we might fall to this evil is high. I can only hope the Shield Hero does not fall to corruption. Surrounding himself with so much malice was a reckless move."

"Fear not, Lord Goddard! Lord King's will is unbreakable! He can easily shrug off such an assault."

"I hope your trust in your Lord is not misplaced, or that will be our end…"

More and more shadows gathered around King as they proceeded deeper, in the end, the man was not even visible. Just a moving mass of darkness, so dark, it was even visible in this pitch darkness, swallowing all light around.

"Doki-Doki sisters… Doki-Doki sisters… cheerful girls all around!"

[ドドドドRumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble! ドドドド]

"Huh? What's that tune?" Raphtalia asked confused, hearing that strange song coming from the mass of shadows.

"When it will end? When it will end?" As more and more voices assaulted his mind, King started to break under the pressure.

"No! Just leave me alone…!" Singing and playing the music in his head didn't help anymore. Those evil voices extinguished even that! Keeping his eyes closed just made it all worse! Now even the cute girls he imagined started to turn monstrous!

"Just… go away!" King stopped to wipe his eyes, already crying. When accidentally, through his blurry vision he spotted the wall of wailing dead and shadows before him!

"Feed us!"

"YIAHHHHHHHHH!"

[ドドドドRumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!ドドドド]

King screamed like never before, eyes bulging with absolute horror almost to a point they were on to fall out from the sockets! The rhythm of his heartbeat reached a new tier, filling the whole corridor with its mighty roar! Shaking it even!

"Ugh! This sound!" Raphtalia as well Scarlet fell to their knees, grabbing their head and covering their ears.

Five seconds! Ten seconds! Fifteen seconds! Twenty seconds passed, and under the man roared with a horror-churned expression! The air vibrated around him in great intensity. Even Goddard's light faltered, affected by the "psychic scream".

"What an overwhelming presence…!"

The spirits around King at first watched this display with glee, feeding on the man's fear and despair. Yet, only a few seconds later, their expression changed, displaying the same fearful expression of King himself! The very essence of his dread infecting them!

Naturally, these unnatural beings tried to flee, but it was already too late! The moment reached when they can't store the sheer amount of negative energy King released anymore!

'Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!'

The wraiths started to burst like overripe blackheads, one after other. Expressing their dread as they can't cut themselves away from the excess energy that surpassed their storage capacity anymore!

And just like that, the previously impenetrable cloud started to thin gradually, until all of the malicious spirits disappeared! Gone! Only some ectoplasmic goo remains, surrounding King who still screamed for a few more seconds. Before collapsing to his knees, breathing haphazardly.

"I… Can't believe it!" Goddard uttered, seeing something entirely unbelievable.

"Wha-What happened?" With closed eyes, Raphtalia removed her hands from her head. That cry that came from the moving malice's direction - which surrounded King - froze the blood in her veins.

"He… he destroyed them all! He did something that not even we managed to pull off!"

"Re-Really?!" Scarlet was almost scared, or her expression was concerned?

"Indeed."

"Lord King! Are you alright?"

"I-I…" King trembled, looking at Raphtalia with a frozen face - which still looked like his usual stoic expression.

No! He was not alright at all! He pissed his pants! His only luck was this place already smelled foul, thus, it made little difference.

"A-Are they gone?"

"Yes, my Lord! You banished them all!"

"Good…" Whatever she meant, the Shield Hero was glad it was over. "I need a drink…" King felt he was on to get a heart attack, even now, his heart beating in a great rhythm, on to hit a hole in his chest - bursting out like that scary alien in that movie.

"Just what the hell was this?!" Those evil things were the voices?

They were gone now, and he didn't hear those voices anymore, which means his theory was right! Finally! They were gone!

"Are they really gone? What were those things anyway?"

Even thinking about them filled King with fear once again, a thought he rather banished the mere thought from his mind for now.

"We need to get out before they return! Fast!" His head still spun, unable to stand right away. King suspected, that with this encounter, he gained a lot of grey hair.

"Haah!" With his sore throat, he drank a big gulp from his flask he kept in secret under his cloak, filled with some strong spirit he bought from a trader for a similar case.

'Cough! Cough!'

"What the hell is this thing?! It is even for human consumption?"

It was strong, burning his throat.

"That man said it helps to get through the hardest of the days. But it just melt a hole in my throat and stomach! It's hurt so much!"

He can only hope it will help him recover slightly, else, his suffering will be for nothing.

"So strong…"

He definitely needs to get out there, else, he will die in an instant!

"What now, my Lord?"

"We need to proceed before they return." Getting out there he meant.

That would be better. But he was sure, these people behind him would just push him in the wrong direction anyway.

Why can't they be more like him? Carrying some semblance of common sense! Why is everyone so desperate to play hero and die?

"I don't know how much I can take." He barely kept himself up. His chest hurt bad! King was sure, that one more encounter like this and his heart will give up! He will get a heart attack finally!

"You are truly… you are the best, my Lord!"

King was not aware, but his sheer fear saved his life.

Wraiths were malicious creatures, feeding the very emotions of people until nothing but their husk remains, making their souls collapse into themselves, creating more wraiths.

All of this means they were beings who were fed by psychic energy — basically.

Empty balloons led by sheer instinct to be filled by emotional energy once more! Jealous of the living, feeling beings, as such, wanting to rob them of what they already lost!

Yet, even they had a limit on how much they can store and stomach. If some of them would accidentally reach this cap, they would act the same as an overfilled balloon… burst! The stored emotions escape and fade away!

This is exactly what happened. The mass of evil spirits that can even give trouble to the strongest of ESPs was destroyed before the Strongest Hero's sheer dread!

"This hero is really something else… a perfect subject." Muttered Goddard, following the group slightly behind with his partially corporal form.

"Oh! A dead end…"

Finally, after some more walk which was free of the evil beings, some good news welcomed King!

If it is a dead end, that means he can announce their retreat, being it made no sense to continue anymore! Maybe, that dead hero even offers a ride outside?

"Anyway, that wall is freakish. I am in no mood to go that way."

Coming from his gaming experience, he was sure it hid some portal or secret entrance. But he had no mood at all to continue or explore what's behind it.

The green flames dimming in the braziers held by those skeleton statues, and that necromantic/demonic engraving adorned that wall implied something horrific awaited them on the other side.

"Thorough here… you will face him." Came the voice from the pendant.

Damn that old hero, even in death, he can't leave him alone!

"We are ready."

"Chirp!"

Waiting not a moment longer for King's confirmation, light burst forth from the medallion, opening a portal before them.

"I hate portals…" King muttered even more lethargic, expecting the worst after passing through.

"You will find Drednacht domain on the other side. I can help you with my remaining power. But be aware, it may not be enough."

"Lord King?"

King sweated! He doesn't want to do this at all! Every inch of his body was against such a foolish idea!

What good is coming from their death? Nothing! Then why are they doing this? That thing will be free anyway in the near future. Why not retreat now to prepare his arrival? Or live happily ever after?

"Remember! What would Saitama do? What would he say to encourage you?" Closing his eyes, he tried to recall Saitama's words in his head.

"Oi! It is a bargain day! Let's finish this fast before the store closes! I have coupons, you know?"

His probably only friend's words didn't help at all!

"Heh?"

Hearing King giving away that small chuckle filled his armiger with a new kind of determination.

"Lord King got this! His fearless chuckle says it all! He will overcome the dread too, like everything before!" Naturally, King told her many times. Never fall into the mistake of overconfidence.

"Chiirp!"

But how can Raphtalia think otherwise when the Shield Hero personally took up the mission to stop this ancient threat? Even their feathered companion was confident in his victory!

"We are here."

"Really?"

King was so dazed finding an excuse to simply leave, he only recognized now that they were already through that portal. Is it possible that the portal sensed his fear and simply swallowed them?

"Why me!? Why me?!" King wrecked his brain. Just what he did do to end like this? He even refused to open his eyes.

"Ah! Visitors, finally! I started to get bored."

A hoarse voice was audible from all around the sizable room they were transported to. A clapping sound followed, most likely the noise of someone closing a sturdy book abruptly.

"H-He is real!"

"Just like in the tales!"

"Monster, your time has come! The promised heroes are here to finally put you down!" Bellowed the voice from the medallion.

"Oh! Don't be so overdramatic! What's passed is passed! Can't you get out my hair? See where your zeal led? I even lost all my hair and I am bald! BALD! Do you know how much hair I had?"

Finally, King opened his eyes.

Around him, a grand library, a vault filled with knowledge told and untold. The kind that was both natural, and unnatural, breaching the sanctity of very life.

Treasures hoarded tonnes upon tonnes, even watching them made his head spin.

"Silence monster!"

In the middle, on a throne, a strange figure sat, tilting his head hearing the rude tone of the former hero.

"Excuse me? Aren't you being a little rude after so long? That's how you welcome your former Emperor and friend?"

The skeletal being who sat on his throne released some miasmic, dreadful aura that made King tremble in his boots. A being, which was clothed only in the finest academic robes, edged with gold, violet, and bore strange symbols of untold magical might.

On his bony fingers, precious gems glowed. In his sockets, evil lights blazed as he measured his challengers, grinning with his sharp canines. Around him, the souls of tortured, wailing people lingered.

"Some kind of lich?" King questioned slightly audibly, his eyes widening from the recognition of the being.

"Haah! How rude to call me a lich? A simple lich! You believe that?" Questioned the offended being.

"Well, you kinda look like that."

"Hmm, you have a point. Somewhat…" Fondled his sharp chin the thing. "I am Drednacht, the Dread. The Lord of Nightmares — as many know me from those foolish folktales of yours. Why have you breached my calm study time? Are you perchance my servants came to my rescue? In that case, you don't have to worry, if I wanted, I would have escaped. You can return home."

"Figures…" Be it true or not, King showed his usual, stoic expression under his hood. He definitely expected more from that monster the legends describe. He can even say, his fear level gradually falling.

"Wha-What?!" Raphtalia gasped in horror hearing the true nature of the skeletal being.

"Lies! Like always! Cease your filthy falsehoods!"

"Ok, well, not right away. But I am on it! Give a few more years, and I will be free. I promise." Added the being half joking. "And it is you again!? I told you, bring more books or leave me alone, I am out of reading material. This thing I read at least five times!"

"You don't have to worry about that, Drednacht! Justice will be wrought on you this day!"

"And who are these people anyway? Challengers perchance?" Ignoring Goddard's rambling, the creature presumed to be the legendary monster asked. "Coming in the trail of those foolish "heroes" who thought defeated me? In that case, I can offer you power untold, and treasures in exchange for your leave. I am busy, I don't have time and mood for meaningless battles. Leave me alone, and tell your people you triumphed. I have no interest in conflicts anymore. It is bad enough I am stuck here, forced to read these books again and again. Truly a cursed situation."

"But… Didn't he say you were getting bored?" This guy made no sense now. At this point, the situation started to turn from serious to comical. "At least ask for new books, or something. You are contradicting yourself!"

"Don't even try to manipulate them with your petty tricks, creature! I know your filthy methods well!"

"Ah! Just sod off already!" Drednacht almost spat hearing the voice coming from the medallion. He sounded rather irritated.

"It was not enough for your little band to "kindly" botch my precious plans and ruin years of planning? You even sealed me here for a long time! Your only luck I kept my private library under hand, and your bunch entertained me. Well… while they lasted."

King shivered in his boots. Whatever that meant, he definitely doesn't want to stay to find out.

"Silence! Creature! Now, worthy candidates have arrived who will finally put you down!" And Goddard again sounded like a typical textbook hero. How typical.

"Yeah… yeah… like it happened under the last ten or so times? Grow up! They will join the pile too if they try to play the hero. Just like your service staff did when they tried to finish the operation and restart the process of extraction."

Lazily pointing behind, the gazes of everyone moved to the dangling undead in the corner, covered by legendary equipment.

"This will be different! This time, you will go down! Their sacrifice will not be in vain! They will be the ones who bring forth the age of the Supreme One!"

Wait a moment?! Didn't this hero guy say they are the only ones who reached this point? And what about the service staff? What operation? What is the Supreme One? King really started to consider all of this as a farce, and they were led by their nose again.

"Hmm, I see. In that case…"

"Lord Drednacht If you may…!" Suddenly, Scarlet stepped forward, kneeling before the undead-looking lord. "I have brought the key to your freedom. A cardinal hero no less! Claiming his essence will grant you the power to escape!"

"Great, now another betrayal. This starts to get better and better…" Also, isn't she a little early? At least betray them when she can't fall or they can't defend themselves - or at least when they can't escape the trap. King considered her timing awful.

"Not as I want to give her ideas…"

"What are you doing, descendant of Umbralich?! Are you as well betraying our cause, like your ancestor did?!" The floating medal basically burst out a wave of power, lighting up the great hall entirely. The guy was pissed, that's for sure.

"According to the writings passed down by my great ancestor, the one who betrayed the cause was you, and your comrades, Lord Goddard. Lord Drednacht united the people and brought advancement all around the nations he conquered and unified under his domain. It was you, and the fellow generals he bestowed great powers and arms who betrayed him in the end."

"No… that can't be true!" Raphtalia started to back a few steps, she can't believe this! The girl is lying!

"According to the story, Goddard and the rest of the heroes were once Drednacht generals. But seeing the error of their ways, they turned against him and started their fight against his tyrannical ways."

Yeah! Scarlet lied before, now she lies again! That can't be true, the heroes of the story are the real villains!? She can't accept it!

"I lost it… what!?" As for King… it is either him who lost an important detail while listening, or both sides lying, making everything all inconsistent.

"He unified them, yes! But at what cost? The cost of their freedom! Leaving them no choice! Ruling them like a tyrant!"

"And giving them paid healthcare…" Quipped the lich-like figure in the middle. "It was a joke. Everyone got free healthcare in my empire." It was like this dude or thing didn't even take this conversation anymore.

This was too much! He wanted his money back.

"What a letdown." King's expectation was certainly too high. He starts to lose the fear factor gradually.

It seriously threw the epic volume of this conversation off rail.

"But at least it was a refreshing change from this dreadful topic. That helps to calm my nerves." Of course, if he decides to kill them out of the blue, that will not be as calming. "Or… yes, being dead people had no pulse. I will definitely be a lot calmer."

That still does not mean he wanted to die in any way. Despite his general situation and circumstance, he had no suicidal tendencies.

"And what for?! For some made up threat?! In the beginning, he was just a leader people would follow through fire and ice! But read the stories, and you only scratch the surface of his atrocities as time went on! You were not there to witness the horrors! The sheer atrocities he committed so he may fight the very gods! Defy the will of the Supreme Being"

"More like parasites! They are not our friends! We are just nourishment for them!" Pointing at the medallion, Drednacht's tone turned from playful and mocking to serious!

In his sockets, the blue flames blazed out intensely.

The whole room shook for a moment by the sheer power released, only a moment later chains of light burst forth and chided the effort to escape.

"Annoying thing…" Drednacht muttered before continuing.

"Besides, as I remember, amongst my top generals who so generously betrayed me, you were the one who indulged yourself the most. The most bloodthirsty and power hungry! A person, who abused his authority despite I warned him not to do so. Attacking me while I was exhausted after a ritual but still failed to put me down. In the end, you and those traitors had to ask for "divine" help to overcome me. By the way, what about my Empire? I bet you and those ruffians sliced up amongst yourselves. How are those countries doing? Huh? Already collapsed due to your lack of management skills? Disappeared and forgotten without a trace? I guessed so… Did you tell these people the purpose of this place? Who helped you to build it, and for what purpose? Why did you imprison me here? And how did it backfire in the end? What kind of lies do you feed them? Some grand purpose that said: I had to be put down?"

"Cease your rambling! I did what I did, and paid the price. Walked the path of absolution and gained release from my past sins. Just like all my companions did! Only due to this, we gained the means from the angelic beings to defeat you and use your power for the better!"

"For the better, huh?" Cracked disgusted Drednacht. "And where are your companions to prove this? Sacrifice them so you may postpone your inevitable demise? The promise of that Supreme Being not really worked out for you? Huh? All that power and immortality they promised was just a mere illusion? An opium your bunch were addicted to? Just like them, you as well became a mere parasite. Playing with the power you don't understand, and paying the price!"

"As were you."

"Since I realized their real nature, I changed my ways. Ever since, my power was always my own. Earned through sheer study, research and effort. No gods or outside beings have anything to do with it anymore."

"Blasphemer!"

"Of course says the one who stole a bunch of my experimental pieces of technology, magic, and arms I developed to have a slight chance against those things. Only to use it against me. Very good work indeed." Clapped Drednacht mockingly. "But call me a blasphemer? Come on! Please look at the mirror!" Spat back sarcastically at the former Lord.

"…" King felt, Goddard's spirit form really glared at his former master now.

"Unfortunately for you, it didn't really work as it should. Doesn't it? As it made to fight not me, but them! You even botched up modifying them to work properly — even following simple instructions they gave you. Truly, your bunch are all losers."

Was it necessary to use those bony hands to reinforce his standing? Come on! Give poor Goddard some breathing room! He did his best, right?

"Silence!" The amulet trembled in rage. Hearing all of this didn't really earn the dwelling soul liking.

"Umm… What are you speaking about? What threat? Who are them?" King asked in the end, really starting to lose the thread of this story. Whatever these two spoke about, now it made no sense in his head.

"Gods? Supreme Beings? Call them as you like. Things that your puny mind can't even comprehend. Pulling the strings, feeding on the very suffering and faith of people since time immemorial. Maybe, doing so even longer than this world exists…" The undead-looking figure released a tired sight.

"Well, that is unfortunate." It all starts to piece together in King's mind - somewhat. Yeah, he read such plots in several light novels. "It is almost overused at this point. Cruel Supreme Beings or Gods who just toying with different worlds and people. Several times to gain the necessary nourishment to prolong their existence and gain power. Sometimes just for fun."

If what this figure said is right, maybe they should join hands to stop those gods or whatever. No? That would make sense, right? Do they even have a chance against such force?

"Our hands are full enough with the waves, I have no capacity to deal with this too. Just leave me alone already." Ask the other three heroes, or someone competent from his world. Maybe they can help.

"We did the best we could, my Lord. But even after such a long time, our numbers are lacking to truly spread the truth! The inquisitors are ever stronger, suppressing our group continuously! Hunting us is ever fierce!" Scarlet admitted, her head lowering, shoulders trembling.

"Ah! That's sad!" Shook his head Drednacht. "You know, I always liked Umbralich, he was a good boy. Little bit silly with bad jokes, but he really tried his best. Well, it is good to see at least his descendant is a pretty girl. He himself was an ugly mug, you know?"

"Thank you for the compliment, my Lord!" Scarlet visibly blushed, even turning her gaze away. "But returning to the topic… I ask you, please, take the essence of the Shield Hero, and return to us! Lead us to victory. Punish those who wronged you."

What now? King by no means wants to hand over his essence to anyone! That's out of the question! He needed that to function as a living being!

"According to our research, absorbing a cardinal weapon and its potent enough wielder will give you the necessary boost to break free! This hero proved himself to be a worthy tool, just right for your ascension."

"What now?" What does this girl want from him? This was a new low in King's book.

"I am sorry, Shield Hero. But didn't you think you received that assignment out of the blue?"

"Well, you said, many took it before, but failed…" Deadpanned King. Besides, it was on the board all along.

"That's true. After failing many times with even the most famous adventurers, heroes and their descendants, and after constant research, we realized only a Cardinal Hero worthy enough can pass the tests, gain entrance, and serve nourishment to Lord Drednacht for his ascension. Only they can fit the criteria with life force enough to breach the seals holding my Lord here!"

Scarlet explained the situation thoroughly.

According to her, their agents were always around, waiting only for the perfect candidate to hand out this assignment. And after they heard the four Cardinal heroes are summoned to Melromarc, they knew it was time to make their step — naturally, this also raised the suspicion of churches and other groups that hunted them, taking many lives from their "sect".

"Just my luck again…" What did King do to face constant harassment? Isn't it enough some force or god tore him out of his rather comfortable life and dropped him in this mess?

Just once, can't a pretty girl be just a pretty girl without any second motivation behind their facade?

"Unfortunately, the other three heroes were less than satisfactory in this regard. Our only hope is you. Please, give your life to Lord Drednacht, so he may gain the necessary boost."

What? No! He doesn't want to do that! King by no means wanted anything to do with such rituals!

"I said, it is not necessary, I will just…"

"You betrayer!" "You betrayer!"

Before the old Emperor could finish his sentence, Goddard and Raphtalia's voices boomed at once. The girl even unsheaths her weapon and points it at the woman.

"Chirp!" Even "birdy" took a hostile stance, feeling her new owner's life was threatened.

"Ah!" A sharp light hit Scarlet suddenly, coming from the medallion. The girl's smoking body fell on the ground hard.

"Wha-What are you doing?!"

"The fate of the traitors! She chose it herself!"

Emotionless and cold, the remains of Goddard's soul announced.

"Shield Hero, make your choice! Serve nourishment for this evil, or join hands to defeat him! Gain eternal glory, and bask in the light of the Supreme Being!"

"The hell now?!"

No! No! Just no! He doesn't want to join any of their sects! Why do they want to drag him to this mess?

"My Lord?"

"Haah! This is so tiresome."

Raphtalia watched King confused, who started to walk near the fallen Scarlet.

She was still alive. Barely though, her condition is probably critical, with multiple heavy burns covering her body. If they don't do something soon, she will surely die.

"Not as I really care after she wanted to do you know what with me. But still, can't we just once speak through things instead of starting killing?"

Even Raphtalia was unsure what to do after what she heard, watching King still checking out Scarlet despite her initial plans.

She was conflicted seeing Goddard doing something rash and heartless.

It was completely out of his character. It defied the very picture of how the tales depicted him.

"Go on, I am helpless in this chair. Of course, if you really are willing to believe that traitor."

Damn! Another hard choice! Why was King always forced into such a situation? Why was everything so gray? Why can't it be like in those multiple choice games? Everything is good or bad. No real consequences since no matter the choice, the decision tree most of the times led back to the main path — with one or two little details changing.

You would choose the same decision anyway since that gives the best ending!

"Of course, if it comes to those modern games."

It would be definitely easier if everything were simply black and white! Evil or good! No shades of grey!

"How can Saitama make a difference?"

Just now, King recalled a memory when his friend spared a monster after it attacked them, saying it was some human in a costume.

"It doesn't look human at all!"

The bald hero just knocked the thing out, and they went on with their business like nothing happened.

"Maybe, not everything that looks like a monster is a monster?"

Yeah, that was probably the truth.

Even amongst A, or S-class heroes, most of them he could only categorize as monstrous.

If he didn't know their heroic tendencies, he could easily mix them with those things they hunted on a daily basis.

Combining all of this made this a monstrous decision to make.

"If I side with the hero guy, I probably play in the hand of those outer gods whatever. If I stand with the scary skeleton guy, I may release his evil again."

Unfortunately, he knew neither side enough to make such a hard decision.

Both sides lied to him to reach their goals. But until now, only one committed homicide before him so "it" may silence the opposition.

With only one deed to filter the conclusion, King was torn with the arduous choice.

"Shield Hero, our time is short. If you are unable to make this decision, I will fulfil the purpose of this place as it is intended! Whether it costs my essence or not!"

Another thing to consider. This guy doesn't even tell them the purpose of this place. Another brownie points to the skeleton guy.

"Haah! Finally, after such a long time, it is refreshing to hear some truth from your foul mouth!" Drednacht mocked his opposition. "It is truly refreshing."

"Raphtalia, what should we do? Which side should we choose?" Being he had no idea what to really do, King asked the girl.

A hard choice to entrusting such a decision to a ten years old girl. But he had to do it regardless, fearing the consequences even more than simply pushing this at her.

"Eh? My Lord, should I really make such a decision?"

"Well, it is up to you."

He was a coward! Even now, he hates his spineless gut, unable to make such life-changing conclusions, and pushing it to a youngster.

"We-Well…" The girl gulped. "In the stories, Goddard and the heroes were always valiant and just. Ruling their country just as wise after they defeated Drednacht. But after hearing all of this, I am not sure. Both sides contradict each other. But only one killed someone before us."

Even if that one was a woman who tried to use her Lord for something horrible, Raphtalia was sure, King would have found a way to convince her otherwise,

Ever since that scene in that canyon, she started to believe in second chances.

"So you made your decision…" The crystal Goddard's essence hid dimmed, almost sad. "In that case, you leave me no other choice! I am sorry it came to this."

"Now, wait a minute, we didn't say…!"

"It is too late, your determination is already broken, the only way is to introduce the final solution!"

Wait! Wait! Wait?! He hasn't yet made his decision! Just give him a goddamn minute!

"Huh? The final solution?" It doesn't sound good at all! What is the "final solution"?

"He will sacrifice all of us, so he may absorb our power." Drednacht explained, almost like he read his mind that demanded an explanation. "Isn't that right, you traitor? You even discard the chance the ritual may consume you too! We are sitting in the middle of a huge ritual chamber! If he activates it, everything in this country will be consumed, sending the energy directly to those bastards!"

"And they will save my soul, and ascend me!" Dimmed happily the dead hero.

"You can't be so sure of that. They will discard you too as they did with all their servants! Remember what happened with your fellows! Are they returned after you used their essence to strengthen your own? Just to prolong your miserable existence?!"

"Don't despair, even as sinners, your souls will gain absolution. Do not resist, and the transfer will be painless."

"This guy is a zealot!" Hearing him, he can only give Goddard such an evaluation.

All pointed to one conclusion.

Killing Scarlet without a second thought, and trusting some Supreme Being that they will ascend him was a foolish errand!

He doubted the slightest chance that would happen! More so, he can only think they will be turned into the lunch of some godly thing after this ritual is triggered!

[ドRumble…ド]

Thinking of it made his stomach cramp return even stronger!

"What's that sound…" Muttered Drednacht, giving King a suspicious look.

"W-we need to stop him!" Raising her sword, Raphtalia took her usual stance. "My Lord, give the order and I shall be your sword!"

Even she realized the true nature of Goddard by now, and the falsehood behind his story.

"So be it, so you choose death! In that case, rejoice, your essence will feed the great one!"

Suddenly, the soul stone with the medallion ejected towards the ceiling, socketing itself into the middle!

Immediately, the intense sound as some grand mechanism activates behind the walls rumbled, lighting up the whole room in majestic, golden colours!

All the treasures and books were consumed, melting into one big river of gold, and sept away through the small channels running across the room.

"Nooo! My precious books!" Drednacht shouted tearfully. Like some books were more important than his life.

"Witness, its majestic display! Guardians! Bring them forth!"

All around, the walls raised, and from them, ancient mechas stepped out, blazing with energy, their power cores recharged once more!

"Yeah, I hate these guys."

"You fought them before?" King asked, almost surprised, but none less scared.

"Well, actually, it was me who designed them. Goddard and his bunch just stole my design, and modified it using the knowledge gained by that pesky god thing."

"Any idea how to put them down?" Raising his shield, he could barely avoid a shot.

These things were freaking strong! Especially here, where his Legendary weapon was weakened and reduced to a mere toy.

"Well, you can try to destroy their core. But they are usually deeply embedded inside their body, and always moving. Alternatively, you can smash the medallion embedded in the ceiling. That would stop the whole process and kill Goddard. But I bet that bastard pulled up some barrier to protect his cowardly ass."

"Just my luck…"

"Any chance to get it down?"

"Well, that is not likely to work. The place he is socketed himself is most likely the control focal of the whole room. The medallion is the key. With it, he has access to an almost infinite amount of energy and assets."

The dangling skeletons of the former service staff were pulverized in the first few seconds when they tried to put up some effort, giving them no chance to be useful!

"Just great…" King muttered, sweating heavily. Just why is this stuff designed to be invincible?! Just why did they hand that zealot the key to this place?

"Chirp!"

"Oi! Don't do it!"

King's new bird companion jumped on one of those golems, trying to fight it with her claw and beak. Once more, she slipped out from his grasp.

"Why!? Just why do you do this to me!?"

"Get back here!"

She slipped out from his hand, and King barely dodged a sword strike, which almost beheaded him!

"Too close!" By no means does he want to deflect, or directly tank those hits! He tried it before while they fought outside, and his arm was almost torn off by the sheer force! No way he tries it again!

[ドドドドRumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!Rumble! ドドドド]

"That sound…" Something came to Drednacht's attention, something that even made him raise his head. "Hmm? No, that can't be…!"

A barrier popped into existence when one of the magical shells flew in his direction, easily absorbing the blast.

"Lord King! We are being overwhelmed! Please, do something!"

"Do what exactly?" Spoke King loudly. The man was ever desperate, trying to avoid being squished and doing his best to save their feathered friend — all while picking up Scarlet on his back, else, she would get stomped to mincemeat.

"I am doing my best! Ok?! What am I even doing?"

The situation was less than hopeless. If they struggled before, now they have reached the absolute lowest point!

"Just stop already! Don't make this harder!"

Like some disco, lasers started to shoot from the walls and the ceiling, sometimes barely avoiding Raphtalia and King.

"Holy shit! Laser disco?! The HELL!"

"[Air Strike Shield]!" Creating a shield of air, King managed to jump over the golem which tried to catch him.

"[Rope Shield]!" Following this, he tried to dangle the rope around the legs of a few golems, to make them fall like that pilot did in that movie. The rope tore almost immediately; it didn't work at all!

"[Voice Gengar Shield]! AHHHHHHHH!" The tactic which worked in the canyon was also botched up by these moving fortresses. "I hoped I could shatter their core with resonance, but it doesn't work at all!"

Why was he such an idiot!? Of course, it will not work! To do this, he first needed to know the exact frequency at which the cores reacted negatively.

"I bet those eggheads put some applications on my phone just for that! You know, to find out what frequency things shatter." Unfortunately, he left his phone and most of his stuff in a strongbox he and Raphtalia rented in that town. Naturally, he can't keep that stuff in his shield's inventory.

Why could he use it for something useful at least?

"Well, I can keep raw ingredients, potions and other stuff there. But it seems, keeping there my "treasures" would be too much!"

By no means does he want to lose his precious "loot" and the only way to contact home if they ever find a way to send a signal here. Bringing that stuff into this shady place like this seemed to be a bad idea, so he put everything to safety.

"It's supposed to be just a simple mission. Short and painless!" And what did he get? Facing some crazed dead hero who wants to offer their soul as a lunch to who knows what outsider entity!

"Once again, I underestimated how much the world hates me!"

King tried one tactic after another, but all failed! Every idea he managed to come up with refused to work!

"Bombs? Useless! All my shields? Useless! The gadgets Erhard integrated into this armour? USELESS! The situation: Hopeless."

"Haah!" While such negative rambling played through his mind, in frustration, King activated his second shield integrated into his wrist protector, hitting as hard as he can the glowing part of one of the golems.

'Clang!'

"Huh?"

For a moment, nothing happened, he only felt the numbness, spreading through his arm.

Then, as he wanted to continue his assault and try again, his whole body went numb in an instant! The second shield exploded and fell to pieces, along with the sturdy armor protecting his arm.

The recoil made his hand slap him into the face so hard, that it looked distorted for a moment. All his skin rippled and wrinkled in the wrong direction, only his hood and scarf keeping them in place.

"Guuuh!"

[FREE TRIAL USER EXCEEDED THE DAILY USE OF OFFENSIVE USE OF A SHIELD-TYPE WEAPON! TO AVOID FURTHER ABUSE, THE WEAPONIZED SHIELD IS DESTROYED! PLEASE, BUY A SUBSCRIPTION TO UNLOCK FURTHER ACCESSIBILITY!]

His vision was blurry, he was barely conscious, King spun sharp many times, only to stop in the same position, still standing, but dangling forth and back!

His face throbbed and swelled. Just like his body, his mind dangled on the last strands of his consciousness. On to collapse from the sharp pain at any moment!

If it was not bad enough, he felt like his whole arm was torn off, armor falling down in scraps all around! First time ever, he got hurt really badly! He is hurt by the only thing that could really damage him, himself!

"My Lord!" Raphtalia arrived at the last second, redirecting an oncoming strike from her still standing Lord's direction — A task, which truly tested the sturdiness of her new sword, and the training of the girl to the absolute limit.

"My Lord, do something, please!"

"I am no use… leave me gaming… no use… let me go back to my comfy bed." Raphtalia was unable to understand what King muttered from the swell covering his whole face.

Why doesn't he do something while the battle rages around?! Did something happen to him? Is he hurt?

"No! He surely has some plan."

She was sure of this undeniable fact! But right now, their situation was worse than she ever imagined!

"Look out!"

Another swing barely avoided King, stuck in his collar armour and made him spin, knocking down a few golems with his wild dervish. Just like before, he stopped still standing, continuing dangling forth and back.

"I see, so that's how it is."

An absurd picture started to outline in Raphtalia's mind, seeing King doing that absurd move and still succeeding.

It was like some combat meditation! Looking unconscious, but still avoiding the strikes with minimal effort, moreover, striking back fiercely using the strength of the enemy!

"I think he is passed out, girl…" Concluded Drednacht, analyzing the situation.

"No! That's not true, my Lord is up to something!"

"In that case, it would be time for him to act out." Else, they will all fall here.

"Why don't you do something instead of just barking orders then?!" Raphtalia had enough! She even forgot how terrified she was hearing the stories from this terrible magic caster in her childhood!

At that moment, she just can't tolerate someone speaking about King like this!

"Chirp!"

Meanwhile, behind her, one of the golems fell forward, the small nestling appearing from the hole under the armour, holding messed-up wires and some kind of gem in her beak.

"And what am I supposed to do? I am stuck here if you don't recognize it yet!" Drednacht answered almost spitefully.

"Lord King, are you alright?"

"1+2, 3, 4, 1+2 during Pile Driver… FC+d/b, d, d/b+1+2…" King muttered eyes turned back from the sheer shock. He looked like he lost consciousness, speaking seemingly random numbers and words almost like some madman.

"But my Lord…" What was her Lord saying!? Is he injured? Just what happened to him? Looking at him, Raphtalia started to think her Lord might actually be in grave danger, and not doing some strange combat meditation Erhard also showed her — well, the basics of it.

"In that case, I need to get Lord King out, fast!"

There was no time to think any more of this!

He always protected her! He was there for her! It is now her time to shine and save him — even if it sounded a tad ridiculous idea!

Even if he will berate her later! It was her duty to help him!

"But… How can I do that? Until now, Lord King was always there! He always carried me forward. How can I save him?"

She was neither as strong, fast or even wise as him! What a little chit like her can do?

"Believe in your controller. You can do it… just push the button… start the game. Combos… so many combos… always use combos…"

King muttered "drunk". Yet, mumbling those seemingly random words probably translated in the girl's mind like this: I believe in you! Do your best!

"I-In that case, I will do my best… no! I will defeat them!"

Grabbing her sword once again, she did the breathing exercise Erhard showed her to increase her potential, and prepare her body for a long and hard battle!

"Here I come! My Lord, look after me!"

A deadly dance started between her and the artificial creatures!

The girl knew, her sword can't possibly penetrate the thick hide of this thing! She needs to strike at their weak point! The core!

"But how do I find it? According to Drednacht, it is always moving!"

Against such odds, how can she possibly succeed?

"I need to concentrate! What would the Lord King do? How would he do it?"

Her Lord lacked the means to physically reach the core and smash the armour — mostly due to that weakening field. Yet, he still managed to neutralize two of these things outside with sheer wits!

She needs to work smart! Yes! Like King, do it!

Avoiding another strike, Raphtalia somersaulted over the being, making a laser and a shot from another golem hit her current opponent.

The effect was unexpected, the towering being emerged mostly unharmed, the slight damage on the armour patching up itself right away!

"Dammit! Not working!" She hoped she could use the same method like King outside. But it seems, these things were sturdier, easily resisted the weapons of their fellow golems and the defensive system that started to fire more and more rapidly!

"Never hesitate the combo… do it like water flowing in a river… aim the eyes."

King muttered, once more giving his "wise" advice to his pupil — all while "luckily" avoiding any grabbing attempt by looping forward, stepping away. Even doing some crazy stunt by using the kinetic force of the missed strikes. Under the process, he managed to knock down quite a few golems over and over. Cracking them up by the redirected force, or his shield's shiny surface reflected the oncoming light, functioning as some kind of focus and crippling his opponents.

At a point, he started to walk around like a drunkard, or sleepwalker in the middle of the battlefield — still speaking gibberish and edging on total unconsciousness.

"The flow? Like a river?"

Raphtalia's eyes widened, remembering an important lesson!

Back then, when she first tried to hunt and fish, she always failed to catch anything! The fish always swam away. The animals avoided even her best attempts at hunting! Even monsters figured out her movement!

Only when her Lord taught her to use her mind over brute force, she realized the right way to do things!

"Yes, like Lord King showed me! Predict their movement. Don't be forceful! Widen your senses and be patient! Strike when the time is right!"

It was no accident her lord entrusted her swordsmanship lessons to Erhard's sturdy hands. He surely saw the blacksmith — former adventurer — experience in this topic fitting to her training.

Thanks to the two of them, she managed to learn a great deal of things!

"According to Erhard's lessons, high-level warriors can concentrate their raw magical power in their eyes and other senses to widen their perception." Even predict movements. Rarely, a few of them can reach a level where they can predict the future slightly ahead.

Naturally, she was far from that level. One can say, she considered her talent lacking for such a thing.

"Maybe, Lord King tried to teach me this back then?"

Realization dawned on the girl! All of those lessons were for this moment!

Thanks to King, she learned how to think! A quality essential to learning anything in the world! Erhard showed her the way of the sword and how to sharpen her senses!

All these things coming together in her head, opening up new possibilities!

Now, she can hunt and fish alone. She can even sense when monsters are nearby. Outwit her enemies in the heat of the battle! Predict their moves slightly! Yet, she knew well, but she still failed to use that technique properly.

Even when concentrating on her eyes fully, the best she can do is to see the weak life signature of his opponents as a whole, and not as a flow.

She has a long way to go before reaching Erhard, less so to King's level. No, she might never reach to her Lord's sheer might!

"It is always moving… pattern… learn the pattern… always wash your eyes… move it around." Her Lord muttered again. Even in the heat of battle, he gave her pointers!

"Of course!"

The core is moving! It is a magical signature similar to life! Circulating the mana in her eyes instead of forcefully holding it here will make the control easier! How could she not have figured this out earlier?

"Let's do it!" Her eyes glowed up suddenly as her stance changed. "I see now!"

In an almost random pattern, the core moved in the shell. Just like King predicted! She can see its movement clearly!

"I see… So it has some pattern." After a few moments, she recognized, it moved following a certain path inside of that shell! "Thank you, Lord King."

She wasted no time, lunging forward!

Strike after strike, the girl focused every inch of her concentration to dodge and counterattack! Trying to find an opening to get a good stab on the gap of this mechanical armor!

"Haah!" Seemingly, the thing detected her attempt, moving in such a way so she may fail to reach the intended result.

"Dammit!" Raphtalia's situation started to turn desperate as more and more pressure was placed on her.

Not only did she need to strike good and true, she even needed to defend against the rest of the beings, and avoid the lasers that were aimed at her.

Keeping up and regulating her newly gained magic vision just piled on this difficulty.

"Just wait my Lord! I will save everyone!" She will also make sure he can finish his preparation! "I am your sword!"

Again and again, she continued her assault, finally scoring a perfect stab, making the golem collapse in a loud noise the moment her sword found the gap in the armour!

Just as her eyes saw, and her mind predicted! The core was right there where she stabbed!

"I… did it," She breathed haphazardly. One thing was down, but many more remained. "My Lord! Don't worry, I will get us out! This time, I will not let you down!"

The mere image of King praising her and patting her head gave her a new rush of energy, urging her legs forward again tirelessly!

"Haah!"

Two more golems went down before she was overwhelmed and knocked down, several smoking holes gaping on her body and limbs.

"M-my Lord, I am sorry…" With out of breath, and multiple holes in her body the girl seemingly reached the end of her current skill and ability!

"No matter how hard I tried! I still failed…!"

Her hand trembled, trying to push herself up and support the weight of her body with her sword. But even this caused her a great deal of struggle!

"This is not good…" Muttered Drednacht in the back, already feeling his former general will truly reach his goal this time.

The girl who was the last hope of this group failed. Even the Shield Hero only walked around drunkard, the newly manufactured golems slowly approaching him.

Not as the Lord of Dread hoped they could win against such overwhelming force, but he still hoped for a better resolution.

"If only they could get rid of these seal markings, I could do something." Probably such thoughts played through the mind of the dreadful villain of many stories.

But with no written note remaining on how he exactly thinks — aside from a few fabrications in those legends — we can't say for sure.

"I planned to spare you, the blood of Q'ten Lo! Your dormant ability might be useful. But you proved to be too troublesome! Now, you left me no chance but to destroy you! But first! You will witness how your treasured Lord will be the seed of the coming age! The age of the Supreme Being and worship!"

"I will never… agh!" Suddenly, Raphtalia was bound by chains of light, leaving her no room to move!

"Bring forth the Shield Hero, place him on the altar of sacrifice!"

"Chirp!" Even the poor bird was bound tightly.

"Ghhh! I need to get out! My Lord! Please do something! You need to…"

"It is too late. He won…"

Tears rolled down on Raphtalia's eyes seeing King finally grabbed by the remainder of the golems, dragged away onto a newly emerging throne near Drednacht.

"So, this is the end, huh?" The former "evil lord" smirked underneath his skeletal visage sourly.

He may not have been the best person in life, but he tried his best. All of it for the memory of one exact person.

"Too much sugar is bad for your teeth, but tasty, gives your brain energy." King mumbled under his scarf still.

"Remove his hood!"

The moment that hood was removed however, the lights in Drednachts eyes flared up! Watching agape as some helmet lowered on King's head.

That face! Those distinctive scars across his eye! That slicked back, slightly curly ended hair… And that ever relentless, calm expression that remained no matter the situation!

It all made the failed dark lord remember something. Something he thought he buried long ago! Something that was not from this world…

"It can't be! He is…!"

It was like Drednacht recognized him! The flares of hope once again lighting up in his eyes.

"No, it must be an illusion. Yes, he can't be here. Can he?"

Once more glancing at King who was bound to that chair, then forward, he shook his head.

"No, that's impossible. He wouldn't allow such a thing. Unless…"

"Now as it is done, it is time to start the ritual! Witness the coming of the Supreme Being! Witness the goddess' light of salvation! Show true repentance, and your soul will be accepted in her realm!"

The machine started, and the whole room trembled and shook once again! The magical runes underneath them spun wildly, just like some kaleidoscope above too! Energy unheard in this world gathered, trying to suck that something out from King, and Drednacht!

[ドRumble! ド]

The air changed when King's heart throbbed aloud! The hero started to mutter one last time.

"Game over…"

…

In this dream-like landscape, there was a boy in the playground, unremarkable in almost any territory of life.

Though he was rather clever, he always had average grades. Neither does he show real interest in really advancing in any direction in his life.

People might have often said he was just lazy. But if anyone asked him — which people really never did — this silent child would answer: I just wanted people to leave me alone. Let me live for my hobbies.

Following his mindset, he only puts as much effort into every other thing so he may pass.

Despite this, he still managed somehow. Living for his passion for gaming, and otaku stuff! Managing in the school only was a side activity to keep himself afloat.

"Haha! I will beat you, monster!"

"Oh no! The hero got me this time! I better escape!"

"Don't even dream about it!"

Just now, he paid little no attention to other kids playing with each other the rather popular game: "Heroes and Monsters".

One can say, he ignored them completely, escaping his own little world.

"Heh! Another win…"

The blonde boy just enjoyed his break. All alone under the breezy shadows of a tree, pushing his handheld console in peace. Just now, he tried his best to blend into the background so no one can disturb his solitary existence. Especially not playing that - according to him - dumb game.

"Who would want to play such a game any way? We all know, the heroes always win."

In that regard, he found it rather bothersome when a few times his classmates invited him to play — time after time.

"Why do they even try anymore? I told them, I am not interested in playing that game…"

The result was always the same. The monster will lose one way or another. A game, which was too static for his taste.

That's why he enjoyed his time playing these new video games alone, or reading a good novel or manga. Anything really where the result can take an unexpected turn — either by your own effort, or thanks to clever writing.

"Mother told me to join them. But I really don't feel like doing it."

Why was his mother pushing this anyway? He is fine alone. He needed not to prove anything in a game where the winner was already decided. It was utterly meaningless to play it!

"Besides, it is vacation time. Why do I have to come out anyway? It is scorching hot out there."

If he could, the boy would simply remain at home, or hide behind one of the machines in the arcade room all day — with a bunch of change.

Both cases would be safer than staying outside, where a monster can pop up anytime.

"Hey! Do you want to play?"

"Umm…" Looking up, a weird kid stood before him.

He saw him playing with the rest of the kids — true, only from behind. But now as he is a bit closer, his face was quite weird. Almost distorted.

"I guess he didn't pull the lucky numbers when born."

He didn't blame him though, he was not a pretty boy either — whatever his mother said, he knew well he was painfully average looking.

"Mothers always say that for their child. Saying they are handsome or pretty." Lies that will one way or another strike back in the future negatively.

"Please! We need a new hero! You would fit just fine!"

"Thanks, but no. I am not that hero type. But I can be a civilian, just sitting here and waiting to be saved. Go ahead."

It was a good compromise. He is participating in their silly game yet not. Both sides are satisfied.

"Besides, I am not that hero type. I am even afraid in the dark." He even had a night lamp near his bed. At his age, it was quite sad.

"I didn't want to get involved." He once more buried his face in his game, pulling another seemingly impossible combo. "Heh! Too easy…"

He was the type of boy who always chose the hardest difficulty in games, but rather avoided conflicts and hardships in life.

"Don't you want to join? We lack one more person, you would fit just fine. Come on! Don't be so…"

"So what?" The boy now started to get annoyed. A no is a no! Why can't people understand it?

"Coward."

"I am a coward; I am a civilian. That's what we do. Hide and survive while the heroes shine and bask in fame." he will not fall for this thousand-year-old trick. He had no pride, he admits it. He is a coward who would rather run than save a kid from a dog.

"Hmph!"

"Come! We found another one!"

"She looks weird; we can use her as a monster."

"Yeah, I got bored being a monster."

The boy looked up from behind his game, spotting as the other kids grabbed a familiar girl.

Reddish eyes and brown hair, on her head, two tanuki ears, a bushy tail peeking out under her baggy clothes and skirt.

Quite a beauty, not someone who would ever speak to a weirdo loner like him.

"Let me alone! Please, help!"

The girl pleaded. but the boy still sat under the tree lowering his head.

"Someone surely comes to save her. That's what heroes are for."

Heroes always appear when needed — More often than not. A boy like him had nothing to do with this case.

"I would end up beaten up badly anyway."

He was weak. Life didn't give him much talent, either physically or otherwise. The only thing he was good at is playing games and coming up with weird stories and game ideas.

"Please, help!" Finally, the girl managed to break free, sobbing, ran to him and hid behind his arm. "Please, protect me from them."

"Look, I don't know…"

"Look at that! The monster has a boyfriend?"

"He must be the villain!"

"Let's give him scars fitting a villain, what do you say?" All the kids around laughed, all their faces distorted, almost like they were on to fall apart.

"How weird kids…"

"Please protect me from them!"

"Get out my hair, girl! You bring me trouble!" Though he pitied the strangely familiar girl, he still wished she didn't clamp in his arm so tight.

"Why can't she find someone else? I will get into trouble because of her."

"Umm… could you please just let me go?"

She shook her head denying his request, eyes red from the tears. Her snot already dirtied his sleeves.

"Figures…"

"Umm, can we figure something out? I mean, it is clear she doesn't want to play." Well, if he failed to convince the girl, he might convince these kids.

Surely, they are reasonable enough, they even left him alone after a while. They just need another distraction.

"Umm… hello?"

Those kids just grinned at them creepily, giving him growing chills with every moment.

"But we want to play…"

Their figure started to get distorted, growing tentacles, scales, eyes and mouth, turning more and more monstrous with each moment.

"Mo-Monsters!" He can't believe it! Why are they here?! It was just all a game to mess with him?

"Protect me!"

How!? The best thing he can do is to run away, or try to be as stationary as possible and play dead!

Surely, if he didn't move an inch, these monsters will think he is just a piece of wood and leave him alone.

"Don't move…" He grinded his teeth, even his breath stopping.

"It will not work! It will not work! We are seeing you!"

He closed his eyes, hoping when he opened it, a hero would appear and save them! Or better! It was just a bad dream!

"Ahh!"

But this was not that day it seems, he had to be disappointed. In the next moment, an elastic tentacle with claws shot toward the two, making the boy hear a girlish scream.

"Ah…"

She tried to protect him from the attack and ended up injured!

"No… No! No! No! No!"

[ドRumble…ド]

She was bleeding profoundly! What can he do? What can he do? It was because of his cowardice it came to this! Why is he such a coward? Why couldn't he just push her away and run together until they found a proper hero?

"I simply can't move! My legs are rooted to the ground!"

He tried to find such an excuse, his stomach content swirling from the sheer sight of crimson blood that left the girl's body rapidly, smearing all over him.

"You need to fight them…"

Fight them? How? He was just a kid! A civilian!

"Haha! You will both die! You will both die! We will skin you!"

The monsters mockingly sang, coming closer and closer painfully slowly. Their voice still of the kids made all of it even more terrifying.

"Please, just leave us alone. Please! I will do anything!"

He cried! Tears poured endlessly from his red eyes. His heart was pounding more and more rapidly! Naturally, that cursed abnormal heart of his, only drew these monsters closer!

It was the end, the end of his road! He will die here, today!

"Game over…" Through his moistened oculars, he saw the blurry image of his gamepad.

How ironic of an ending, even his game displayed his failure.

"Heh…"

Time slowed for the boy as the attackers reached closer and closer, leaping at them.

[ドドドドドドドRumble! Rumble! Rumble! Rumble! Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!ドドドドドドド]

"No…!" He whined, even turning his head away.

He doesn't want to die! He doesn't want to die here! He still has too much game to play! Stories to read and write!

"Hey, are you alright?"

He opened his eyes a moment later, seeing a figure before himself.

The monsters gone, pulverized, laid in scraps behind this strange man.

His face was bland, just like his blood-soaked black hair. What made him exceptional though was his sharp eyes and resolute expression. Some kind of strange light burning in his eyes.

"I… I…"

"We don't have much time, here, take my hand, and I will help you." The stranger offered his hand, though, the boy hesitated to take it. Something was not right. He was familiar, but it was odd! He had memories of this man, as well as the girl, but something was not right with them — Almost like they were fakes.

"Wa-Watch out!" Out of thin air, more monsters burrowed out, jumping on their saviour, and stabbing through him. Yet, he didn't even flinch, only offered a bright smile.

"It is nothing, really. But we need to hurry, I need your help. Accept my hand, and we can save everyone."

The boy reached forward for a moment, but hesitated. But why did he do it again? This man clearly wants to help him. Then why? Why did he pull back his hand at the last moment again?

"It is okay…" Blood sprouted from his mouth. "You can do it. Just reach out…"

"Lord King, please, save us!"

Looking down, the girl cried tears of blood, her whole being melting, almost like her cell structure was on to fall apart.

"Ah… Ahhhhhh!"

If the constantly closing monsters were not enough, now this too?!

"You fraud…"

"You betrayed our trust."

"Why didn't you save us?"

"Strongest Man on Earth? What a joke!"

"You will die miserable and alone!"

The world took an odd turn around him. The tree behind him got hold on his body, pulling him inside its liquefying surface. The surface where the faces of many pleading people emerged.

The sky darkened, the clouds reshaping into ominous, mocking visages of his failure.

"Noooo! Just leave me alone! I didn't do anything!"

He cried like never before, the girl clasped around his neck with her withering arms.

"Lord King? Why did you lie? Why did you save me? Just to let me die? Why are you so cruel?"

Anger! Emptiness! Frustration! Inadequacy! Helplessness! Fear! Guilt! Loneliness! Depression! Resentment! Failure! Sadness! Dread!

All of these overwhelming emotions rushed through the boy at once looking at the tortured visage at the familiar girl and the hero before him.

"No… No… No…!"

At this point, the rhythmical, ever-increasing pulsation of his heart almost became a continuous whole. He never felt so stressed in his life! His mind was on to collapse!

"Ugh…!" One of the claws found its way past the hero, leaving a scar across his eye, and another stabbed him, right through his saviour.

"I am dying…" He bled profoundly, vomiting blood, watching the serrated claw embedded in his stomach.

"You just need to accept and you can save her. Save yourself…"

"I…"

With blurry vision, he squinted his eyes, the boy King reached forward to accept the hero's outstretched hand, only a last glimpse stopping him!

A peek through one of his squinted eyes was all that was needed to see the true nature of this entity!

"Haa… HAAAAAAAA!"

What he saw was the breaking point! Something so horrible and eldritch that surpassed every other dread he faced and survived until now! Something, his mind can't even process!

Before him, the face of the familiar hero disappeared completely, replaced with a blank faceless thing. A mass of flesh, scar tissue staring back at him! The layered structure of the universe! Something that was so horrible, giving it name was a blasphemy!

[OUTSIDER INTERFERENCE DETECTED! WARNING! INSUFFICIENT ENERGY TO PURGE THE FOREIGN PRESENCE! WARNING! SHIELD CIRCUITS COMPROMISED! LAST RESORT PROTOCOL STARTING!]

"Do not be afraid, you will be the hero people thought you are. Become my avatar… King! Take my power, and we shall erase the source of your fears, together! You will have your solace! Refuse, and you will face forfeiture!"

[LAST RESORT PROTOCOL STARTING: 5… 4… 3…]

"AHHHHH!"

Like never before, dread and fear overcame the boy, his heartbeat like some broken record became a continuous loop first time ever!

[ド Rumbleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee….! ドドドドドドド...]

[COMMAND OVERWRITTEN! THE PREREQUISITES OF CURSE SERIES FULFILLED! WARNING! MUTATION OCCURED! CURSE SERIES MUTATED! GRIEF SERIES UNLOCKED! DESPAIR SHIELD PROTOCOL STARTING!]

"Interesting…"

The faceless hero muttered before everything was swallowed by a wave that erased this strange world!

…

"Something happening!"

"My Lord!"

First, there was only one throb, which abruptly increased hundreds and thousandfold! Becoming one distinctive note that filled and echoed through the whole chamber! The whole structure! Even though the swamp and the city!

"What is this!? No! It can't be! The suppression field! It is collapsing!"

"GUAHHHHH!"

Following suit of his King Engine, King also roared! Eyes turned black, his body releasing an awful miasma of fear and dread! He tore himself out from his chair with the sudden shock!

His damaged armor is changing and repairing itself! Taking a truly terrifying shape! Filled with wailing faces and terrified visages — all coming from his subconscious! Almost living, filled with fear, uncertainty and dread!

His shield growing, spiky, full with gnawing mouth and eyes! Almost like a true, eldritch being who came to swallow your soul, your fears and concerns. All taking the shape of a weapon!

"Fear… Dread…" Finally, a helmet snapped around his head, reshaping to a faceless mass without eyes, swirling with madness and horror. "Inside…"

"No! I WILL NOT ALLOW IT! I WILL…"

All of sudden, all the point defense lasers and remaining golems turned against King, rushing against him! Goddard used everything in his arsenal in order to stop the Shield Hero in his rampage!

"Horror…"

Another wave, and all the attackers annihilated at once around the Shield Hero.

It was almost like the lifeless golems gained expression after that terrible miasmic wave washed through them, grabbing their sides and trembling before turning to dust.

The defensive lights racing towards him changed color and reflected after getting contact with the ever expanding horrific aura, destroying all of the ray emitters in the room.

"So afraid…"

"So it is truly him! Just like in the tales." Drednacht muttered watching the hero stunned. Only a moment later recognizing the seals that kept him captive got damaged, even most of them broken. "A chance…?"

"My Dread… unbearable." King whispered, still standing near the destroyed throne, rapidly vibrating in a frequency that made him look foggy and miasmic.

The ground cracked, the whole room, the whole structure shook from the released power, on to collapse and being destroyed.

"SUPREME BEING! GIVE ME STRENGTH! PLEASE! GRANT YOUR POWER! A MEAN TO BANISH THIS EVIL ONCE AND FOR ALL!"

All the remaining energy gathered inside one point, projected through Goddard's phylactery, projected against King!

"DIE!"

"I am afraid… So afraid… I feel… terrified." Seeing the attack which could probably wipe out the whole structure, King raised his hand, with empty eyes frozen with horror, and inspected the living armor formed on him, projecting back his every fear.

"Chiiirp!" The bird who was so faithful to King tried to get back to her owner, but was blown farther away by the pressure, clamping inside of the remains of a golem.

"Truly… dreadful." The until now living surface of his shield solidified, forming an abyss black mirror, the hero raised it against the all engulfing annihilating ray!

"My Lord!"

"We need to go!" Gatting near Raphtalia, Drednacht roared, struggling to even stand in the middle of this mighty storm.

"Such power…"

"No! Without Lord King…!"

"He will manage!" Drednacht's tone was strangely confident, watching the eldritch entity that may or not be the Shield Hero anymore. In his sockets, awe and fear mixed. "Truly, like in those mangas…"

He whispered, before disappearing along with Raphtalia and Scarlet, teleporting out to safety.

"So, that's how you felt, huh?"

Just as Goddard whispered, an abyssal darkness swallowed the whole structure, annihilating anything in its way!

Scene Change: Sometime Later: Outside:

"Ummm…! Lord King, no! We can't do that. If we kiss, I may get pregnant…"

"Pff…"

Raphtalia squirmed, before her eyes slowly opened, hearing something akin to a suffocated chuckle coming nearby.

Her vision was blurry at first, expecting King sitting near the fires when she woke up.

"A dream?" She mumbled, looking around after she rubbed her eyes.

"My Lord, what happened?" Only a moment later she realized, that the hooded figure was not his lord.

"Who-Who are you!?" She reached for her sword instinctively, but she didn't find it!

"Dammit! I need to go with my fist then!" King always advised to keep her enemies out of reach if possible. But she can't do anything now! Her weapons are missing. Even her knives, those her Lord urged her to always have around were gone.

"You don't need to be afraid, child…" The handsome, young man turned towards the girl, gnawing on some roasted boar that grilled over the fires.

"Wh-Who are you? What's the meaning of this?! Where is Lord King?" Who was this stranger? She had no memories of him!

"I have no idea." Chuckled the young man.

His golden and violet eyes gave a great contrast to his flowing, white hair as he removed his hood. His almost translucent, pale skin only added to his ghostly visage.

"But I am sure he is fine. After all, the Strongest Man on Earth cannot be defeated."

"Wha…?"

"Please, rest. You have gone through a lot. Everything will be revealed later. You can have your sword back if you wish."

Lazily, the stranger tossed the sheathed sword before her leg, and Raphtalia carefully approached it.

From near the handsome man, she saw Scarlet, their contractor, soundly sleeping.

"Who are you?" Though Raphtalia was still suspicious, she forced enough trust on herself to not attack right away, but just pull out her sword and point it at the stranger.

"I am Drednacht, of course." The man spread his arms, grinning and entertained. "In the flesh."

"?" She tilted her head confused, her ears moving slightly.

No. This young man definitely looked different. His robes were also torn and weathered. Something that may only be worn by beggars. Definitely not the Nightmare Lord.

"Please, don't mock me. Now if you could tell me where my Lord is, I would take my leave. If you don't know, that only makes my decision easier." Pouting and offended being mocked like this, she sheathed her sword again.

"So, you don't believe me." Shook his head at the man with a smile. "Though, I don't blame you. I indeed look different than my former self."

Pulling up his sleeves, the man who called himself Drednacht moved his thin, fleshy fingers, popping the air bubbles between the joints.

"Just as expected from someone like him. To solve an issue, that even I struggled. Truly fitting…" Snapping his finger, a fickle green flame emerged above his index. "Well, something for something. I guess."

"Yo-You really?!" Raphtalia's knees started to tremble once again, pointing her sword at the man.

"Yes! Yes! The Dark Emperor of a Fallen Empire, Babylonia. Sorcerer Supreme! The Overlord of the Dark order! A man who defied Gods in his crusade! The person who revolutionized magic, and technology. Many even call me the "Dread" in those silly legends of your people. I have, of course, many more titles. But…"

"Hya!"

"Oi! What are you doing!?"

"Give back Lord King!" The girl shouted tearfully after she slashed towards the magic caster, who agilely avoided the strike.

"I told you! I didn't do anything with him! Oh! This body is flexible! I like it! Maybe I should visit a brothel. It was some time… Oi! Stop it!"

"Cease your falsehoods!"

"Come on! I am telling you the truth!" Again and again, Raphtalia slashed towards him, and the man dodged or stepped away just as easily

"Don't run away! Fight like a man!"

"Stop it, or I…!"

"Hya!"

"Haah, why do I always get the stubborn ones?" After playing around a few more times, the man had enough. Stopping, he simply caught Raphtalia's blade, holding it between his fingers.

"Now, if you would… Ugh! My jewels…!" He had to give this much to the girl, she was resourceful. She used his newly appeared weak spot to her advantage, making the once dreaded magic caster fall to his knees in agony.

"Give back Lord King, or I will spill your foul blood."

"Can't we act civilized for a moment? You already took your revenge on my poor member. I didn't even manage to use him."

The girl just squinted her eyes, pushing her blade against his throat and spilling some blood.

"Choose!"

"Oh! So we play like that? Ok…" At that moment his eyes glowed up, Raphtalia froze, falling to the side like some block of wood, body turning to stone.

"Sorry about this, but you didn't listen." One more snap, and thick branches sprouted from the ground, holding her firm while the stone skin formed around her breaking, cracked and finally disappeared.

"Damn! I really got weak." Commented Drednacht fondling his jaw. "That time spent sitting in that place really took a toll on me. Or was it King who took my power? Is he testing me?" He muttered.

"Ah! Wha-What happened!" The world turned gray for a moment, and then she found herself like this! Just what happened?! Why can't she move?

"Well then, now you are willing to listen?"

Looking up, Raphtalia's eyes met the dreaded magic caster's glowing orbs.

"Never! You will see, Lord King will return at any moment and will punish you!"

"This again? I told you, I mean you no harm!"

"Lies!"

"Typical…" Drednacht threw his hand in the air, giving up reasoning with another zealot. Sitting back near the fire. "You know; I should have left you there. Like I would do with anyone else. But I saved you regardless, you know why?"

"No, but I am sure you will tell me another lie." Pouted the girl angry, while squirming in the bonds. She needs to find a way out. If nothing else, slice the throat of this villain while he is asleep.

Yet, no matter how she struggled, her strength was worth nothing against these enchanted vines.

"If you think that way, go ahead." Deadpanned the man.

"Wh-Why?"

After moments of silence, Raphtalia asked regardless, the traces of tears present in her eyes. She was helpless, unable to do anything.

"Because…" Drednacht took a big breath, crouching before the girl. "I am King's greatest fan!" Grinning, the Lord of Nightmares pulled out a magazine, on its cover, King stood triumphant on the pile of humongous monsters.

[The Hero of Tomorrow? The Hero Association Introducing its new S-class. King!]

"Whaaat?!" Albeit, Raphtalia can't read that strange gibberish text, she definitely recognized King. All of this information made her head spin!

Who was this man for real? And how come he admitted himself the fan of her Lord?

With such development, where does Raphtalia's way lead? Where is King and his birdy companion — who still didn't receive a name — disappeared? Did they survive? Will they find each other?

Read further, and find out!

AN:

Well, this is it!

Thank you for reading at this point, and really sorry for the overly long hiatus.

(that's why you get two chapters for the price of one, also, the rewritten chapter XD)

Unfortunately, as usual, work, life, lack of muse and other things took up my time, I ask for your patience! :)

The next chapter comes when it comes!

In the next chapter:

Have you ever heard the joke about the flying hero? What about the joke about the flightless bird? A tanuki, the crazy fan and the princess? Me neither! Wonder if it is a good one.

Care to hear them?

RnR!

Read and Review!

Send PM or review if you have further questions!

Good day! Good night! Good morning! Safe sails!

Stay away from the sun!

Until next time!

Oblivon2991 out!