A/N: An explanation for my absence can be found at the bottom of the chapter. If anyone is interested :). Thanks so much for the incredible support 3

Chapter 3 – The New Party

The throne room was in disarray.

Three of the Cardinal Heroes proudly stepped into the throne room; shoulder to shoulder, gleaming with anticipation. Excited not only to embark on their upcoming adventure, but also to meet their partners for the foreseeable future. It was exactly the atmosphere the all-so 'altruistic' King envisioned. There was just one problem.

They had arrived forty-five minutes ago; Naofumi nowhere in sight.

Where the bloody hell was that accursed shield!?

Aultcray growled at the turn of events.

One day in, and that demon had already caused him more anger than he could remember feeling in years.

He gripped his armrest until his knuckles turned white, perspiration building on his forehead. When that bastard shows up, he'll put him in his place. It shall be glorious-!

Suddenly the doors slammed open.

"Oh! Everyone's here already?" Naofumi gasped as if astounded by said discovery. The twinkle in his eye led them all to the contrary, however. "Well, I guess we should hurry inside. Eh, Raphtalia?"

"Ye-yes, Naofumi-sama!"

Those present stared as the Shield Hero nonchalantly walked into place beside the other heroes. An uncaring smirk on his face, and some unknown child trailing close behind.

"Naofumi," Motoyasu pointed at the girl behind him with a strange look on his face. "Who is that little cutie?"

Fatherly instincts began to well its way inside of Naofumi at the question. Feeling the girl shaking from the unwanted attention, he quickly grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her in close. Her small arms circled his waist as he raised an eyebrow at the blonde.

"She's my party member. Raphtalia is her name and if you couldn't already tell she doesn't enjoy being stared at like that. So I would appreciate it if you wouldn't look at her in such a... derogatory manner." He glared around the room, warningly. "I'm sure you can all understand what I'm saying here, correct…?"

The nobility felt a wave of nausea wash over them from the man's sudden anger. No one wanted a 'dirty' demi-human in an area of such high-class but arguing seemed unwise. He was a hero, after all; it would be in their interest to stay on his good side. At least for the moment.

Unfortunately for them, their king wasn't as wise.

"Shield Hero!" Aultcray bellowed suddenly. "First you dare to show up to this meeting late. Then, you choose to pick up a party member against my orders!? Not only that, but it's a demi-human slave! How low can you possibly stoop?"

The other heroes exchanged disgusted looks at that admission.

"A slave!?" Itsuki exclaimed, looking enraged. "Such a deplorable act can't be considered justice! Not in our world, nor here!"

"Yeah, what he said!" Motoyasu suddenly turned to look Naofumi in the eye as a means of intimidation. Naofumi could confidently say it was one of the saddest things he'd ever borne witness to. "Plus, Raphtalia-chan is a cute little girl! You can't possibly enslave someone like her."

Ren just scoffed. "Pathetic. You figured no one would join you, so you enslaved a defenseless child."

Naofumi fought back a sigh. At the shit-eating grin, Trash was sending him, the senile old fart must have thought he one up'd him.

How wrong he was.

"Melromarc's citizenship laws: chapter 14, paragraph 6." Naofumi droned on with a bored expression on his face. "As decreed by the late Aultcray Melromarc XXXI, slavery is entirely legal and even encouraged within the higher echelons of society. This includes, but is not limited to: nobility, the King's personal gallantry, and the Cardinal Heroes."

Idly reaching into the front of his backpack he pulled out an incredibly thick book and began rapidly thumbing through it. The information was already lodged in his brain from the countless nobility lessons that Melty had drilled into him in the past. However, casually pulling the Kingdom's rules out of his ass seemed unwise. Thus, he decided to bring in physical proof. A quick stop on the way to the castle to buy it being the reason he was late in the first place.

Not that he minded being tardy, anyway.

"From yesterday's sudden interrogation I got the feeling that walking in here unannounced with a slave would ruffle some feathers. As unfair as that may be, considering it is not only completely legal but actively encouraged." He turned to the other three heroes who all appeared conflicted. "If you want to bitch about me having a slave. One who is completely happy with her life, mind you, then take your complaints to the big man up there. I'm only doing what I have to, to survive. I knew walking in here that the chances of me getting any party members was minimal at best. Considering the reputation of the Shield in this country. Why not garner help that can be guaranteed-?"

"H-hold on!" Motoyasu sputtered. "You can't just brush her being a slave under the rug like that. Who cares if it's legal!? That's an adorable little girl you're owning! We're not from this world! Don't you have any shame!?"

"Do you?" Naofumi countered, coldly. "Given the fact that you're focussing so heavily on Raphtalia's appearance, I can only assume that you're attracted to her. A child. If anything, that is far worse a crime than whatever the hell you claim I've committed by raising her."

Motoyasu looked like he swallowed a lemon at the accusation. The other heroes and even a number of his possible party members looked at him in disgust as he struggled to bite out a comeback.

"Silence!"

Thankfully for him, Trash came to his rescue.

"Be that as it may, Shield Hero." He smiled, triumphantly. "You went behind my back and recruited a party member without consent. Not only that, but it was a slave. Truly despicable."

Naofumi felt his eyebrow twitch.

'Seriously!? How dumb can this guy get?'

"Y-yeah!" Motoyasu yelled his confidence back. "Release Raphtalia-chan, now!"

Naofumi facepalmed.

'You're even worse!'

"T-that won't be necessary!" Raphtalia let go of his waist and grasped his hand. Forming a fist with the other, she placed it over her heart. "I'm with Naofumi-sama of my own free will! He is an incredible person and I'm so very grateful to have met him!"

Naofumi felt a nostalgic smile weave its way onto his face at the familiar statement.

"Oh, you poor girl."

A smile that was promptly wiped due to the idiotic ruler.

"You feel forced to defend your master due to the deplorable slave crest upon your chest." He shook his head. "I suppose I have no choice. As the ever-enigmatic leader of Melromarc, I will do you a service and dissolve your slave crest for you-!"

"Do you ever stop blowing hot air? Or is it just a character flaw that, amongst so many others, you never managed to get over?"

Silence.

Naofumi stood there yawning as everyone present watched with their mouths agape. Did he just-?

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU SAY, SHIELD DEMON!?"

Acting as if he just awoke from a long rest, Naofumi gently pushed Raphtalia directly behind himself before stretching his arms above his head.

"Hm? Apologies, I didn't catch that. Care to repeat it with fewer aneurisms attached?" Naofumi cocked his head to the side, innocently. "I don't speak such a barbaric language, unfortunately."

Aultcray looked as if he was about to have a heart attack from the pure rage he felt.

"GUARDS! SEIZE THE DEMON!"

Naofumi narrowed his eyes as the other heroes were suddenly pushed to the side, spears now centimeters from his vital areas. Gently grasping the shaking Raphtalia in his hand, he was internally thankful he had prepared her for this possibility. But things had only just begun.

"Demon, huh? To what end do I deserve such a negative moniker?" He asked; his voice so calm, it almost seemed as if he had yet to even acknowledge the guards. Viewing them as such a minor annoyance that they weren't worth considering. That only infuriated the King that much further. "Ever since I arrived in this kingdom I've been met with quite the negative reception. To my knowledge, however, I have done nothing to earn it. Some sass, possibly, but no worse than what those three idiots did on day one."

He walked forward, directly into the spear. To the gasp of many, the tip refused to puncture his skin.

"Your guards are not well equipped enough to take me on as is. Your level of intimidation is pathetic and this whole farce is a joke." Naofumi growled at the end of his statement. "Call off your men. Now. And let's settle this, like men. Tell me: why exactly you're so adamant on painting me as the villain."

"NOW, LISTEN HERE!" Aultcray bellowed. "IF YOU DON'T HOLD YOUR TONGUE I'LL BE FORCED TO TARGET YOUR SLAVE AND-!"

"And what."

Naofumi's voice was chilling. Drawn. Empty.

"If you dare to put a finger on her, or any of my future party members, I can promise that you will live only to regret it." He shoved the guard standing in front of him to the side. The man dropped. Naofumi kept walking. "So go on. Send your forces after me. Give me more reasons to doubt this kingdom's nobility. As things currently stand, staying here seems hazardous to my health. Not to mention the health of anyone I care about. Perhaps I should leave and defend another's land…?"

The threat was out there. The die was cast. Aultcray lost. He knew it, and so did every one of the present nobility. He successfully painted ill the entire system of Melromarc, whilst also giving himself a solid out into having a party member they couldn't part him with. Their plans would be more difficult now. Difficult, but not impossible.

If only they knew what he did.

"I… understand," Aultcray grunted. Sitting back down with a deep-rooted sigh he waved his guards back into place, as everyone present released a breath. "My… apologies, Shield Hero. I lost my temper, there. I have had… negative altercations with the Shield Heroes of the past and it caused me to lash out unfairly against you and your slave."

Naofumi resisted the urge to scoff. The words were as empty as his head.

"Apology accepted. Do be sure it doesn't happen again, though."

Aultcray's smile was so very brittle.

"Of course."

Shaking his head to clear the anger, he clapped his hands together.

"Now, then! Let our greatest champions choose what hero they wish to accompany!"

Naofumi closed his eyes and breathed out. Lightly patting Raphtalia on the hand he gave her a small smile as the echoes of shuffling feet sounded around them.

"Good job. I know that was scary, but you stayed strong. I'm proud of you."

She smiled brightly at the praise and held onto his waist happily. Her tail wagging excitedly all the while.

Naofumi ruffled her hair before closing his eyes and relaxing. He had no expectations of receiving any party members, after all. He hadn't last time, and more than likely scared anyone new into considering him this time.

That's fine. His future party was more than enough-

"A-ano… hello, Shield-sama…"

His eyes shot open in surprise; a pleasant shock going through him.

Someone else was stood behind him.

He felt a soft smile work its way across his face at the newcomer.

"Hey, there. Thanks for offering to join us. Could I have your name, please?"

The green-haired girl blinked at the statement and pleasant expression before hesitantly returning the smile.

"It's Rishia Ivyred, Shield-sama."

Rishia. Someone he was very happy to have on his side to be sure. Especially so early on.

"Rishia, huh. That's a nice name." She blushed at the compliment as Raphtalia pouted. Ignorant to their reactions he felt a frown pulled at his lips. "Though, I am curious why a mage that looks to be as accomplished as you are, wishes to join us."

She looked down at that.

"I wouldn't say that. I'm not all that special or anything-"

Naofumi scoffed.

"I'm sure you're amazing, Rishia. There's no need to be so hard on yourself."

She blushed, hard.

"R-right. Thanks."

The young mage looked away as she explained.

"And… I, uh… I wanted to join you because of how you stood up for your party member before…" She pointed to the small girl giving her the stink eye. Before sweat dropping at the malice dripping from it.

Naofumi accepted her reasoning easily. Given her lack of self-esteem it wasn't hard to see that she would grasp onto anyone who seemed to, not only stand up for justice, but their companions as well. It was why she was so drawn to Itsuki in the first place. Before he revealed his true colors.

"I see."

"That, um… would also apply to me, right…?"

Naofumi nodded with finality.

"Of course."

The green-haired mage smiled brightly at his acceptance before standing directly behind the duo in formation.

Naofumi felt himself relax. This was good. Great, even. Better than he predicted. Had things gone off without a hitch?

That was when another newcomer showed themselves.

"Ano, Sir Hero…?"

Naofumi had to fight every instinct inside himself to not outwardly react to her voice.

He also had to ignore the lingering desire to call her a more derogatory name.

"Ah, hey." Naofumi cocked his head to the side, forcing a neutral expression onto his face. "I saw you standing by Motoyasu a minute ago. Was there something you wanted from me?"

The redheaded beauty smiled softly at the man in front of her. So pure in expression that Naofumi felt his heart clench against his will.

He may have hated her guts, but he had to admit:

She was one hell of an actress.

"Yes, I was just wondering if I could join your party as well, Sir Hero?" Her smile was sugary sweet. "I see you've recruited some more help, but one seems rather… inexperienced… and the other is merely a child. So, I figured I could help make things easier for you? I-if you'll have me, that is."

Naofumi had to admit, the pitch was almost as enticing as last time. He was surprised she could think up such a convincing argument on the spot. Had she talked it over with some of the king's advisors beforehand? Most likely. He had never known her to be the sharpest tool in the shed.

Either way, he had to give her an answer.

"Are you sure that's what you want? I wouldn't want to impose…"

He gave her the option to back down. Unbeknownst to her, it was her final warning. To stop before things for her, went from bad to worse.

He could show mercy. Sometimes.

"Yes, I'm certain of my decision." She bowed. "Thank you for your concern, Sir Hero."

Naofumi only shrugged.

Her funeral.

The remainder of the reception flew by quickly. With a flourish of his overly garish robes, the King beckoned them into the world and onto their upcoming adventures.

Naofumi could only thank his lucky stars that he finally got away from Trash's presence.

"Sir Hero…?"

At the address, his pace never slowed. Approaching the city gates with an ever-increasing walk cycle, Myne was left conflicted by his apathetic attitude towards her.

"Hm?"

She tried to ignore the rather uninterested tonality to his voice and cheerfully spoke up.

"I was just thinking that we could stop somewhere and pick up some weaponry before we venture out!" The redhead poked her fingers together demurely. "It would be best for all of us to be better equipped for the adventures ahead. Wouldn't you agree…?"

Naofumi spared her a brief glance over his shoulder before continuing onwards, undeterred.

"Completely unnecessary. I have my shield, Raphtalia has a dagger, Rishia has her staff, and from what I can gather you have a rather expensive sword attached to your hip." His brow rose, almost mockingly. "Unless that sparkly sheath of yours is just for show…?"

He phrased his question as just that. A question. But even someone with a lesser intellect such as herself could tell. He already knew. Somehow, he just knew that she owned a sword. Not only that, but just by a quick glance at the sheath she had been attempting to hide underneath her leather covering, he was somehow able to correctly guess its monetary value, as well. Even in spite of her purposefully crafted peasant-like attire! But how?

Myne frowned imperceptibly before forcing a smile once more.

"I… see. That makes sense of course!" She paused to try and enter a more tenable position. "But… what about armor? I, for one, would greatly appreciate a chest plate to defend me as I will be fighting up close and personal. I'm sure these two would as well. Not to mention you, Sir Hero. I would never wish to see you injured because you weren't prepared."

Naofumi didn't even deign her with a look as he kept walking.

"With the enemies, we'll be fighting at this level? It's a complete waste." He looked at the other two with an unreadable expression. "And on the off chance, we do run into something harder than expected? I'll defend you all. I can promise that much: nothing is getting through me to you."

To her, it sounded like incomprehensible boasting from a newly minted hero who had no clue about the world he was thrown into. A novice in every sense of the word.

Yet in reality, it was the complete opposite.

Naofumi hid his smirk.

She had no idea what world she had been thrown into.

"Um, Naofumi-sama? I was wondering… what exactly are we doing today?"

Naofumi looked down at Raphtalia who had been largely silent during their journey thus far. Holding onto his hand, the little raccoon had been doing nothing but silently watch the exchange between her master and their redheaded party member. She felt confused. Lost. As if there was something between the two of them that she could not place.

"We'll be going back out into the fields to level up some more." He gave a quick nod to the guard at the gates before passing by undeterred. "Over there. By the trees. It seems that spot draws a large number of balloons together. They are simple to kill and will make for a good place to start grinding."

Rishia blinked at that.

"Shield-sama, does that mean you've already been training?"

There was surprise mixed with awe in her voice. One day in and he already became familiar enough with the area to know where to train? That was incredible!

Myne was surprised too. But mostly annoyed. Very, very annoyed.

She quickly became lost in thought.

'He is far more knowledgeable than he should be for someone in his position.' The young woman resisted the urge to growl. 'He has already begun training!? The whole plan for him to be left entirely defenseless has all been thrown out the window already! What else could possibly go wrong-!?'

"… oi. Oi! Myne." A hand waved itself in front of her face. "Were you listening to me?"

She shook her head in an attempt to clear the negativity. Smiling at him abashedly she poked her tongue out cutely.

"Ah, no. I apologize Sir Hero. I was a bit lost in thought, as it were. What was it, you had said?"

Naofumi looked unimpressed.

"I was asking for your permission to add you to my party." He pointed to the two girls beside him. "Raphtalia and I have already been in one since yesterday, and Rishia just got added in a few minutes ago. I figure if we're going to train it makes sense for us to split our experience evenly. Wouldn't you agree?"

Another statement phrased as a question. So on top of everything else, he already knew what parties are and how they work? Worst of all: she couldn't decline his offer either, or she would appear suspicious in his eyes. How could things go so wrong so quickly!?

Myne felt the urge to scream grow rapidly. Yet, she managed to compose herself.

Barely.

"Ah, yes. I, uh. Sure. That sounds… adequate."

Naofumi's brow rose.

"Right…"

Not a minute later and his full party was listed in front of his eyes:

Naofumi Iwatani: Level 5

Raphtalia: Level 6

Rishia: Level 15

Myne: Level 32

…

Wait.

Thirty-two?

The three lower-level adventurers all turned in unison towards the incognito princess who was doing her best to look as inconspicuous as possible. Naofumi felt his brow twitch.

'I figured she must have received some training from the Kingdom before setting out initially but allowing such a high level to help a beginner team seems ridiculous. She's over twice Rishia's current level – and Rishia told me before that she had been the highest in her class at the time!' He scowled internally. 'No wonder Motoyasu thought things were such a breeze despite his total ineptitude at fighting. He was carried harder than I ever imagined.'

Naofumi exhaled loudly before rubbing the back of his head in aggravation.

Whatever.

"Alright, well; while your level is a surprise I suppose that doesn't matter at the moment." He moved onwards. "What does matter is that we get a grasp of each others' abilities. That's what balloons are best for. We can spend the day fighting them and showing each other our abilities. It'll also help to improve our teamwork."

Raphtalia shook off her surprise and bounded towards her master with a bright smile on her face.

"Whatever you ask of me, Naofumi-sama!"

Naofumi returned the smile and tousled her hair. He looked over to Rishia and awaited her response.

The green-haired girl was… cautious. Shocked, of course. But almost… scared, of the newly unveiled girl. How was she over twice her level? It didn't make any sense.

Rishia eyed the girl out of the corner of her eye with a small downturn of her lips.

'I'll have to keep my eye on her. Shield-sama, so far, hasn't said or done anything but I have a feeling he knows something's off about her too.' She closed her eyes in finality. 'I won't do anything, yet. There's no reason to suspect someone's intentions from such a minor fact. I'll just keep it in mind.'

The young mage smiled before quickly joining the duo approaching the tree up ahead.

Myne was momentarily left alone to gather her thoughts.

'Things could not be going any worse. Father and I never prepared for a failure of this magnitude. I don't know what to do.' She looked down and began thinking hard. 'No. There's no reason to panic. The initial plan should still work. We have the Kingdom's nobility on our side and the support of the church. I just have to ensure that these three all sleep in different rooms; or at least, that the mage girl does. The little raccoon girl can join him in bed for all I care. A dirty demi-human's words won't mean much in the face of mine.'

She looked up with a victorious smirk on her face.

'Come what may, Shield Hero, your life is as good as over.'

Her plan solidified, Myne caught up to the rest of her party and fell in line behind her temporary leader. Her radiant smile returned.

"I apologize for the wait. I just wasn't expecting my… secret, to be revealed so easily." Myne confessed. "My training was kept secret for reasons I can't go into right now, so I was a little on-edge that you all found out about it so quickly. But I am more than happy to assist you all in leveling up! If you'll have me."

Naofumi eyed her for a moment as if considering her words. With the slightest incline of his head, he watched her fall into place beside him.

"Alright, then. Time to train."

"Right!"

A/N: I wanted to start things off by saying I'm sorry. For any long-time readers of my account you'll know I commonly take extended breaks from writing. Typically it's due to a lack of new ideas. This time, however? It was more… I'll be honest, I've been pretty damn depressed when it came to trying to write stories lol. This one included, there are so many better fics out there, so it just kinda made me feel like; what's the point? So I didn't write them. I apologize profusely for that. I can't promise more consistent updates. (Some of my other stories are almost a year without updating as of writing this.) but I'll try to get past this funk… it's just hard. I compare myself to others too often :P. Happens even on something I enjoy for fun like fanfic writing x). Anyway yeah, your guys' support on this fic has been unbelievable. It's already in the top 10 stories with Naofumi for favorites and follows. The reviews, while not as many, have also generally been incredibly positive. So thanks so much. Genuinely made me feel like writing again:)