All right, guys. Be prepared for the first canon divergence in this chapter.

By the way, I published this chapter early because I won't be able to access the internet until the early-twentieth of November at the earliest or early December at the latest. I need to go to a relative's home in a rural area.

That aside, this chapter should be released on Saturday, November 9th, 2019. Too bad that FF dot net didn't have a timed-release function like other fanfiction platforms.

I promise that the next update will be double chapters. I said that the place doesn't have an internet connection, but I never said I couldn't write in my free time still.

As an aside, for you guys who have guessed about me stocking up chapters, yes and no. I only stockpiled chapters for volume 1, and this chapter is my last stockpile. Also, the pacing of the story will rise since I won't spend like millions of words for the RotSH arc. I have a plan for this story to be Multi-crossover after all.

Now, for you, who have guessed Ereshkigal for the "mysterious" Nasuverse's character whose appearance was picked out for the Spirit of the Holy Spear, kudos!

I picked up Ereshkigal for the reasons you would find in this chapter.

Oh, I had edited some parts in the previous chapter because of some reason. Nothing much, just turning the Job's skill list into a narrative and changed Haru's background. She had a sheltered life and only knew how to be a prostitute. It would be fun to write her character development from a sheltered prostitute who knows nothing about the world to a proper living being.

The last warning for you before we proceed to the chapter: this chapter contains NSFW materials. There will be smut, but there won't be a warning when it starts. You have been warned!

Now, enjoy the chapter!

Volume 1: Chapter 4: Watching Developments as the Spear Wielder

—Part 1—

I had teleported to the empty alleyway where I set one of the Teleportation Point of the Portal Spear. When I arrived in the castle town, the empty alleyway wasn't empty as I had expected. I had stumbled in what looked like a thug fornicating with a hooker. My sudden appearance shocked them, and I reflexively knocked them and hid their bodies in my Inventory. Some hero I am…

After that short unscheduled event, I swiftly searched for the inn in which Naofumi and Malty stayed for the night. Also, I discovered that other heroes and their party were staying in the same inn. It looked like the best inn in the castle town.

Because of the presence of the other holy weapons, I needed to keep Yaris inside Inventory when I was around the other heroes. Fortunately, Yaris had been very accommodating. She was a very understanding and loyal Holy Spear.

I would shower her with affection after she managed to transform into her humanoid form for all goodwill she had given me so far.

When I arrived at the inn, I easily found my targets, namely Naofumi and Malty.

I watched them closely. Due to my broken Hide Presence, they didn't even realize it when I was just standing behind Malty. Those two were none the wiser.

It looked like they were planning for their schedule in the morrow. There was a bad quality map spread out on the table.

"Well," Malty began, "you can't see it on this map, but I was thinking of heading to a village on the other side of the forest. It's called Lafan."

"You don't say…"

"On the outskirts of town, there's a dungeon suited to beginners."

"A dungeon…" Naofumi voiced in wonderment.

I checked out the Map and found the dungeon in question. The village called Lafan was at the other end of the forest that I had been staying a while ago.

"We might not make much money there, but it would be a great place to level up."

Malty's voice returned my focus on them.

"I see." Naofumi nodded in understanding.

As I watched them in silence, I had managed to eavesdrop the talk of Itsuki and his party.

"Oh, Bow Hero, sir! You made my heart beating so fast when you saved me from that scary monster in the plain!"

"Indeed. You were very amazing. So dashing!"

In my periphery vision, I caught the sight of Lesty and the other noble girl were firmly in Malty's pocket. They had started manipulating Itsuki with their feminine wiles and empty praises. I guess they did it to make Itsuki more susceptible to Malty's manipulation later on.

It didn't help when I discovered that Itsuki was susceptible to seduction when those girls were pushing their arguably big breasts on his arms. He had a faint blush on his cheeks and his eyes were briefly lingering on the source of the squishy sensation that he felt.

Those two girls were good. Not as good as Malty, but still good for someone so naive in regard to the opposite sex like Itsuki.

"Sir Bow Hero, you truly make me, Mald, feel honored to be in your party! You're truly a justice personified."

"As Sir Mald said, it is an honor to assist a righteous hero such as you, Mister Itsuki."

"Now, let's cheer for Mister Itsuki! Our Hero of Justice!"

Not only Lesty and the other noble girl, the Knight named Mald, the Mage named Welst, and the Thief named Rojeel were also helping Malty to soften Itsuki's defense, so to speak.

They all originated from some noble families in Melromarc. Even Rojeel, the blond-haired female thief was a noble girl with a rebellious streak. Hence, she picked out Rogue as her class.

As a matter of fact, all party members of Itsuki had an aristocratic origin.

They lavished Itsuki with their empty praises, enlarging the little shit's already overinflated ego. I could see that Itsuki's ego was feeding on their empty praises like a starved animal. He was already preening like a peacock with two flowers at his sides. Watching that, I was mildly amused. It looked like Itsuki's fate was sealed for good.

Truth be told, I didn't care about Itsuki or Ren. What I cared about the most was Naofumi. Why? Because I believed Naofumi to be fate's chosen one. The so-called Protagonist.

Even if the Sword and Bow Heroes died, I wouldn't even bat an eyelash on it.

As a matter of fact, I would like that to happen.

If those two died, the Wave of Destruction would become stronger. Then, it would spawn stronger monsters. Strong monsters meant higher XP Gain. I could get all XP that I needed for power-leveling myself and my future party members.

I moved my attention from Itsuki's table to Naofumi's table because of Malty's voice.

"I have new equipment. While we will depend on your defense, it should not be too difficult for us."

"Awesome. I'll consider it."

Naofumi grinned good-naturedly at Malty, unaware of what kind of venomous serpent that woman was…

Since my current level was higher than Malty, I could see her Status and Information.

Her personality was like the congregation of all negative traits; she was malevolent, narcissistic, egocentric, haughty, dishonest, corrupt, arrogant, amoral, treacherous, sinister, sadistic, bullying, abusive, deceitful, prejudiced, selfish, greedy, and tyrannical psychopath. In addition, she was a pathological liar.

I assume this trait was due to her nature as the fragment of the godlike woman behind the Wave of Destruction.

All that aside, back to the present. Malty spoke, "Oh, no problem at all. Oh, hey, don't you drink wine?"

"Nah, I don't really like alcohol." Naofumi gave an ambiguous reply to Malty's offer.

If I recalled correctly, Naofumi had a special constitution that made him unable to get drunk.

I suddenly became curious and checked Naofumi untouched meals and wine. My Gamer Sight informed me that those things had a sleeping drug in it. Well, Naofumi couldn't get drunk, but he was still susceptible to drugs and poison. At this point, he didn't have good Resistance against them.

It looked like the inn was also joining Malty in her attempt to screw over Naofumi.

"Is that so? You could just have one glass?" Malty insisted.

But, Naofumi firmly declined, "No thanks. I really don't like it."

"But…"

"No thanks." He repeated his firm refusal. But, it wasn't enough to save him.

"Oh… All right then." Malty looked upset as she retracted the glass of wine.

"At least we were able to get a plan together for tomorrow. Let's get to bed early tonight."

"Sure. See you tomorrow." Malty agreed with fake sweetness.

They finished eating, and Naofumi turned his back on the loud restaurant to go to his room. I followed Naofumi and slipped into his room unnoticed. I stayed in the corner, waiting for what would happen next. I watched Naofumi taking his chainmail off and flung it over the back of a chair. He then put his money pouch on the bedside table. Soon, he started getting sleepy. He turned off the lamp and fell asleep.

A few moments later, the door opened up. I saw Malty entered the room. My Night Vision allowed me to see clearly in darkness. I saw Malty's sneer as she looked at Naofumi's sleeping face. Malty was carrying something. A bottle of wine? It wasn't drugged. Well, I would find out what she planned with it soon…

I raised my brown when she began undressing Naofumi's lower outfit.

"Heh, heh, men are fools. So easily tricked… Can't wait until tomorrow."

I heard her faint yet malicious whisper. My Sense Intent picked up so many negative intents from her.

I had a plan to watch the proceeding while staying hidden. I had wondered what would happen…

In the source materials, it never displayed what Malty had done to Naofumi after he got drugged and lost his awareness. It was only said that Naofumi heard a loud clamor and then found himself overslept in the inn's room. When he woke up, he discovered that his chainmail had disappeared and then he saw Motoyasu wearing it. Then, he was accused as a rapist because of Malty's false charge.

Now, there was no gullible idiot like Motoyasu that Malty could manipulate easily. I took Motoyasu's role as the Spear Hero, but I wouldn't allow myself to be Malty's puppet. As apathetic as I was to most things, I still disliked being controlled. Even the dislike was only mild at most.

I had shown that I wouldn't take Malty and the other girls and had even dismissed them impolitely.

Ren wasn't an easy prey for Malty because the boy was prudent in spite of thinking this world was a virtual reality game.

Malty's only target was Itsuki.

The boy might hold a delusion as an ally of justice, but he wouldn't believe Malty's accusation of Naofumi's alleged crime without proof. He might be delusional and naive, but he wasn't stupid.

The ongoing manipulation that his party members subjected to him without his awareness wasn't enough to help Malty. She needed to have proof to accuse Naofumi and obtained Itsuki's help. I was curious about this proof. Hence, here I was.

But…

'I never guessed she would go this far,' I remarked silently.

I watched Malty taking out Naofumi's limp dick. She then began giving the sleeping hero a handjob. At the same time, her other hand slipped under her purple skirt. Watching her movement, I found that she seemed very skilled at what she was doing.

"Heh. It is a shame that he is the Shield Hero. His dick is surprisingly big. If he is the owner of other holy weapons, I would like to add him in my collection." She snickered coldly.

After Naofumi's dick became fully erect, Malty started ripping off her clothes. She even went so far bruising her own skin in certain places.

"Tsk… Damn. Ouch!" She hissed and cursed under her breath from harming herself.

'I see. She does that so she looks like a victim of sexual assault, eh? She's rotten, but she's smart.'

I couldn't help but praise her willingness to harm herself to make sure that her plan wouldn't fail.

Malty finally climbed the bed and positioned her drooling pussy above Naofumi's ramrod dick. She swiftly sheathed Naofumi's cock inside her pussy and began shamelessly riding the unconscious Shield Hero.

I was slightly amazed when I saw how Malty was riding Naofumi like a veteran cowgirl. She was really skilled, and it made me wonder how many men she had eaten to be that skilled.

At this point, she was already unchaste. I couldn't find the sign of her virginity in the bed. There was only love juice from the reverse rape.

I recalled that she lost her purity when she studied in Faubley. She was sent to Faubley to learn something by the Queen, but the only thing she learned after graduating from Faubley's academy was how to be a slut.

'It was ironic, really. She accused Naofumi of raping her when in the truth is the opposite.' I felt both amusement and disgust. Only mildly, but the feeling was still here.

The amusement was for the irony in Malty's accusation. The disgust was for how low Malty could be.

My voyeuristic activity continued until both were cumming. It looked like Malty was enjoying this too.

Afterward, she drew a small amount of blood from her finger and mixed it with their sex fluids. With that, it looked like she had lost her "purity" under Naofumi's "sexual assault."

She healed her finger and put the last touch. She took out a small bottle of wine and drank half of it but didn't swallow it. She kissed Naofumi's mouth and poured the wine into his throat instead. She sprinkled the other half on Naofumi's body and underwear. With that, Naofumi looked like he was heavily drunk when he "assaulted" Malty. Smart.

Malty left the room, and I followed her.

I watched her "play."

Her target was Itsuki. She knocked on the door of the room rented by Itsuki's female party.

After they came out, they exchanged soft whispers and then nodded at each other. The one noble girl whose name I didn't bother to remember hugged Malty who began her acting. Malty was crying crocodile tears and was putting on a miserable face. Rojeel just stood there and feigned concern as she looked at the "traumatized" Malty.

Lesty left for Itsuki's room and began knocking the door frantically. "Sir Hero! Please wake up! Something horrible has happened. We need your assistance Sir Hero!"

"What is it?" Itsuki soon came out and looked very annoyed because his sleep got interrupted. His male party members were right behind him.

"It's horrible, Sir Hero! We need your help to bring justice! Myne, sir! Something happened to Myne!"

Itsuki looked at Lesty strangely. The girl's acting was good. He allowed himself being dragged out of his room. He then saw Malty's "horrible condition" and opened his eyes wide. "What happened?" He demanded.

"O Righteous Hero! Sir Itsuki! *hic* Please, please, *hic* grant me the justice *hic* I deserved!" Malty wailed, her voice full of suffering.

Well, damn! If I had Oscar's trophy with me, I would chuck it at her head.

The clamor had woken up even Ren and his party. They looked at the corridor, at Itsuki's group. They looked curious and a tad annoyed because their sleep got interrupted.

I watched in silence as Malty used her acting skill to convince the heroes and their parties about the injustice she had suffered under Shield Hero's tyranny. She spun a tragic story about how she was sexually assaulted by drunk Shield Hero and lost her "purity."

I saw the disbelief, shock, disgust, and anger in everyone's expression when they heard Malty's false story. Some feigned it, though. I could sense their intent and emotions, after all.

Only the single female member in Ren's party, Elena Haven, had doubtful expression. But, it happened for a brief moment. It looked like she knew Malty well that she doubted Malty's claim and act.

"Where is Naofumi, then?"

"He *hic* is sleeping in his room, Sir Hero. After he… *hic* After he… *hic*"

"No need to force yourself, Miss Myne."

Itsuki stopped the "traumatized" Malty from speaking any more and looked at Mald and Welst. They nodded at him in return and went to Naofumi's room with Itsuki leading them.

I followed them and watched Itsuki and his male "companions" inspecting the crime location. I saw it when Itsuki's face twisted in disgust and outrage when he saw the "proof" on the bed.

"What should we do? Bring this rapist to a nearby knight's station?" Itsuki asked for his companion's thoughts.

"We should inform His Grace about this, Sir Itsuki. After all, the criminal is one of the summoned heroes."

"Humph," Itsuki harrumphed in a mix of disgust and outrage, "Don't call this criminal a hero! He isn't suited to be called one! Heroes must keep up justice, not tarnish it!" He declared in righteous indignation.

"Of course, Sir Itsuki," Welst chimed in slickly, "But, we need to report this event to His Grace."

"What about him? Are we going to leave him here just like that? What if he wakes up and runs away before he can be judged for his crime?"

"About that… we can ask for Sword Hero's assistance to watch over this criminal, perhaps?" Mald voiced his idea.

"Let me speak with Ren first, then."

"Very well, sir. You know better since you are THE Hero."

After unintentionally preening at his party's empty praise, Itsuki left the room to have a short discussion with Ren. Even though Ren seemed to find it a bother, he still gave his agreement. Then, Itsuki, his party, and the "traumatized" Malty went to the castle.

I decided to follow them and watched what would happen next.

So far, it had been interesting. I wonder what would happen next…

—Part 2—

Morning came.

The townspeople assembled in the plaza.

They had heard about the trial for the Shield Hero who was accused of a sexual assault. Since Melromarc was a matriarchal country, something like rape was considered a heinous crime. A taboo.

I watched from a roof, not far from the plaza.

This development was certainly unexpected. From what I could recall from the source materials, Naofumi never got a public trial. He had been dragged out of his room the next day and he would receive a trial in the throne chamber.

The reason behind this unexpected development was Itsuki.

It looked like Itsuki didn't only have Batman fetish when he went heroing. He didn't seem to mind grand trial like this. As long as he could be seen as an "Ally of Justice," he would accept or even create the opportunity. I guess it was due to the manipulation of those Thots and Parasites in his party.

Unlike Itsuki, Ren was nowhere in sight. It looked like Ren and his party went to power-level somewhere. As Kirito-Expy, Ren disliked revelry. He liked to grind his level more than wasting his time on Naofumi's trial.

All that aside, back to me. I wasn't alone. Haru was seated on my lap, and I enjoyed the sensation of her bubbly buttocks on my crotch. It was nice. I had gotten an erection from it, but I could easily control my sexual desire. Some time, my stunted emotions could be useful, too.

"There are so many people," Haru remarked softly, curious and amazed.

There was something missing from Haru. It was her fox ears and bushy tail. Fret not, they weren't cut off. She was wearing an enchanted item that could cover the user in an illusion. It also falsified a character's information.

The magic item was a belt that circled Haru's slim waist. I had… liberated it and another one from the Church of the Three Heroes' shadows last night.

The bodies? I kept them inside Inventory. As of now, I had kept four bodies in my inventory. I was counting. Always.

I didn't know when I would take them out, but I digressed.

Even though her ears and tail disappeared from anyone's sight, I could still feel them. Her ears were tickling my cheeks, and her tail was brushing my torso lazily. Her hair was still held in a secure bun, touching my neck.

I had covered our spot with a powerful illusion. If someone looked in our direction, they would see nothing. It was Revelation class Light Magic, after all.

Yes, I could cast some endgame's spells already, thanks to the ridiculous Max MP, Max SP, and other things. Of course, I hadn't had enough M. ATK to raze this country to the ground. Not yet, at least.

I had Yaris inside Inventory for the time being. She had agreed to stay in Inventory, albeit begrudgingly. She had wanted to watch the Holy Shield's Owner getting trialed and shamed.

It looked like the Holy Weapons inherently disliked each other to the point of enjoying the suffering of the others.

I never knew that the rivalry between Holy Weapons was this… vicious. I only thought that it was only screwing off the heroes' XP Gain when they were nearby, unless it was amidst the Wave of Destruction.

When I asked about that, Yaris answered, [Master, Multiverse Theory. Remember, anything that can happen happens.]

What a cheeky spear…

But, I couldn't deny her claim. This "canon divergence" was another proof that anything could happen.

"Well, the king, the Church of Three Heroes, and the Bow Hero wanted to make this trial public."

I responded to Haru's remark. The discussion happened last night, and I was there, overhearing everything while being hidden from everyone's sense.

"Bow Hero? Is he also a hero like you, Mister Rif?"

"We were summoned to this world at the same time, yes. But, I would get offended when I am put together with him," I added silently, 'If I am not emotionally stunted, that is it."

"Why?" Haru turned her head around, her posture tilting to the side to get a better look at me. Her expression was flat, but her look was curious.

"Out of the four holy heroes, I think he is the worst.."

"I don't understand."

"Let's see. You know my flaws already, that I'm selfish and hedonistic. But, I can be reasoned. The Sword Hero is in denial, believing this world to be one of his virtual game that he is forced to play as his body is coalescing from the accident that sent him here. He can be reasoned too. The Shield Hero is naïve, too naïve that it's very painful to watch. He believes this world is fun and all. Never expecting this world is more brutal than his original world. He still can be reasoned. Finally, Bow Hero is delusional, believing himself to be an ally of justice when he doesn't know what being an ally of justice means. Someone like him won't accept anyone's advice. He will cause problems unintentionally and won't accept that he's guilty. His blind righteous belief is very dangerous to everyone else. His party doesn't help. They just feed his ego."

It sounded like I disliked Itsuki, and in truth, I disliked him. I guess I was biased.

"Hm? I still don't understand." She corrected her sitting posture and looked ahead.

"Well, let's put this discussion on hold. The judges come."

Haru and I watched as Aultcray, the High Priest named Biscas T. Balmus, and Itsuki walked up to the alleviated podium with a long table and three throne-like chairs.

"Who are they, Mister Rif?"

"You see the bearded man with a crown and a staff?"

"Yes."

"He is the king of this country," I continued my explanation, voicing several facts about Aultcray.

Also, I explained the concept of country, monarchy, and king because Haru didn't understand them. It was due to her lack of common sense. She was only told to receive depravities of me who paid for her since she was old enough to be a prostitute. Her old master didn't care about Haru's education, and other prostitutes were busy with their own problems.

Haru's old master really saw her as nothing but coins dispensing tool. Not as a living being.

I was sickened by it. Even though the feeling was mild, I still felt it. I unconsciously tightened my hold on the lovely fox demi-human.

"I see. So, he hates demi-human. Is he the reason for your worry about my safety?"

"Not so much as the bespectacled man in a monastic white robe. The High Priest of the Church of the Three Heroes. He is…" I explained what I knew about Biscas and his Cult.

"So, that man is dangerous. He is the one who's likely sending someone to kill me, yes?"

"Not likely, Haru my dear. He will when he finds out the Spear Hero is fornicating with a demi-human."

Haru tensed her body briefly, and then leaned her back on my chest. Her soft hands were strongly holding my hands on her stomach.

"I…don't want to die. I'm scared of dying, master."

"Then, you won't die. You're mine. You can only die if I say so."

"I'm master's property. My life, my body, and my soul belong to master," Haru recited her pledge again to remind herself of the fact.

"Indeed. But, I also want you to enjoy your life."

"Master is kind," Haru paused briefly. "I guess that boy with that strange item is the Bow Hero?" She returned our talk to the proper topic.

"Yup. That kid is Bow Hero, Itsuki Kawasumi. The thing he carries is the Holy Bow."

"I understand."

Soon, the main character for this farce of trial arrived in the plaza.

The townspeople split apart like the Red Sea when Moses and Israelites ran away from Pharaoh and his army. I saw a carriage, steel bars — a cage — on top of it. Naofumi was inside that cage, chained down like a dangerous animal — or criminal in this case. He was paraded for everyone in this castle town.

I inspected his appearance and he looked pitiful. He was angry and confused, mostly confused.

This was another unexpected development.

Last night, after Itsuki, his party, and Malty went to the castle to report Naofumi's "crime," Itsuki, Mald, Welst, and some knights returned back not long afterward. They grabbed the unconscious Naofumi from his room and threw him into jail for the worst criminal. I followed them, and they weren't the wiser.

As an aside, I saw someone who made me stop for a few moments and contemplate. That someone was Eclair Seaetto, one of many female characters in the canon.

As the stereotype known female characters in RotSH, she was very attractive and sexy, rivaling even Haru. But, I quickly dismissed my idea to take her to my party.

She was better with someone like Naofumi, and her righteous knightly personality wouldn't suit me and my plan for my harem-party.

It wasn't like this world lacked pretty girls.

There was an alleviated platform, slightly lower than the dais where Aultcray, Biscas, and Itsuki were seated. Townspeople were circling it, watching Naofumi who was chained and herded by two fully-armored knights. One of them was the one who I'd faced off yesterday.

Naofumi was forced to kneel in the center of the platform. He snarled at the knights for the rough treatment. And as zealots of Three Heroes Faith, they relished in the misery of the "Shield Devil."

Aultcray opened the trial, and the plaza became silent. He charged Naofumi with "sexual assault." His voice was loud and clear.

Myne was called to give testimony. She spun a tragic story that painted her as the tragic victim and Naofumi as the tyrannical, brute offender. She showed her acting skill that would give her Oscar's awards ten times over.

When Naofumi tried to defend himself from the accusation, one of the knights struck his head. The Knight that fought me hurt himself instead. The other knight swiftly pinned Naofumi's head on the floor with the sole of his footgear, stopping Naofumi.

Itsuki gave his testimony and mentioned the "proof." He added some insults at the end of his testimony, "How can someone from Japan is a scoundrel like you! Are all Japanese in your world are scoundrels too? Mine and Ren's didn't seem so! Criminal like you sicken me so much! You aren't suited to be called a hero!"

Naofumi broke. His blank expression spoke that. His worldview was flipped.

After a few moments, his blank expression distorted into a savage, outraged one. He spoke aloud, "… Fine. I don't care. Just send me back to my world, and call yourself a new Shield Hero. That'll do it, right?" He demanded the king to send him back to his world.

"Things don't go your way, so you decide to turn tail and run away? You have no sense of responsibility or justice. You ignore the task you've been entrusted with, only to attack a poor girl… Just terrible…" Itsuki condemned aloud.

"As expected of Devil. O God, please protect your faithful followers." Biscas prayed aloud, mocking Naofumi.

Naofumi glared at Itsuki and the High Priest hatefully. I could see so much rage and hate in his look.

The king simply crossed his arms and frowned. "I would very much like to send you home, but the waves of destruction will not allow it. New Heroes can only be summoned once the original four have all died. This is what the researchers say."

Well, that was a misconception. And I bet those researchers didn't know better or tried to write anything for fame. I knew that the world will fall if all Holy Heroes died in the middle of the Wave of Destruction. The proof was S'yne's world.

Her world fell after the Holy Hero of her homeland killed by Reincarnators, and it happened in the middle of the Wave of Destruction. Even in Glass' world, Kyo Ethnina didn't dare to kill Kizuna because he knew what would happen to the world if she, Kizuna, the last Holy Hero of that world, died. Hence, Kyo locked Kizuna in an endless labyrinth.

"That's… you're kidding, right?"

"You mean we can't go home?"

Itsuki and Naofumi were taken aback by the information.

But, Naofumi soon recovered and continued, "When were you planning on telling us that?!"

Aultcray said nothing, and Naofumi forced himself to stand. The knights were thrown back.

"Plan on running, eh?!"

"I'm not running." Naofumi snarled at Itsuki, and then turned at the king, "Well? What's it going to be, Your Majesty? What's my punishment?"

It looked like Naofumi accepted that he couldn't back to his world.

"At the current moment, you are our only defense against the coming waves, and therefore will not be punished. However, your crimes are already well known to the people. That will be your punishment. I doubt very much that you will find work or help in our country."

"Ah, thank you so much!" Naofumi's voice was thick with sarcasm.

But, the trial hadn't ended yet.

"If I may, Your Grace."

"Your Holiness?" Aultcray turned at Biscas.

"Since the Shield Hero has sinned, leaving him just like that won't be enough punishment for his crime. How if we brand him with a new title that signifies the sin he has committed? Let's call him Shield Devil. A hero won't even if ever sin. Only a devil does so!"

Naofumi glared at Biscas hatefully. Itsuki gave the High Priest a side glance and his look spoke his agreement.

Aultcray feigned his contemplation and then nodded. "Very well, then. With my Authority as the king Aultcray Melromarc the thirty-second, from thenceforth, Shield Hero, Naofumi Iwatani, will be known as Shield Devil!"

I heard Aultcray's declaration. Naofumi whispered something but his voice was too soft for me and Haru to hear.

The farce of trial concluded. Naofumi was known as "Shield Devil" henceforth.

There was so much drama in that farce of a trial.

Naofumi climbed down the podium, head low. His face was covered by his bangs.

Townspeople parted, giving him a wide berth. They murmured scornfully and looked at him with cold or stink looks.

Even though there were some unexpected developments, Naofumi had fallen. At least, he wasn't executed. He would rise from the bottom as he was fated to be.

All was well.

I decided it was time to leave the castle town and started Haru's training.

"All right," I raised Haru's light body from my lap and made her stand on her own feet, "Let's leave for the forest. It's time to start your training."

"As you wish," Haru replied calmly.

—Part 3—

"Um? Master, should I really do this?" Haru asked me doubtfully.

Her trembling hands were holding her Wakizashi.

I stood in front of her. My hands held a struggling Pill Rabbit. I pointed it to her.

Yaris was floating behind me. In the beginning, when Haru saw a floating and talking (in our mind) spear, she showed curiosity and confusion, mostly curiosity. But, she quickly settled her feelings after I explained Yaris' existence to her in detail.

"Yes. This is the first step."

Haru alternated her look between the struggling Pill Rabbit and my face. She lowered her face and began whispering something under her breath.

"I'm master's property. Master's command is absolute."

She raised her head and showed a blank face. She poised her Wakizashi and struck the Pill Rabbit with it. However, her move was horrible. It showed that she never attacked something or someone.

The round rabbit-like monster screeched aloud. Blood spilled on our gears and clothes, but the Enchantments made it slid down the ground as if the surface of our outfits were a slippery slope. However, some splatter of blood stayed on our faces.

I ignored the notification that informed me of 60 XP gains and 6 pieces of bronze loots. My focus was on Haru.

She had frozen, and then, her body began trembling. Her slit-like pupil turned slimmer, contracting.

She looked like she was going to hyperventilate. But, she calmed down suddenly.

"How are you feeling?" I asked her, trying to project so much concern in my voice and expression.

"Horrible," Haru gave a blunt reply, "But, not so much. Gamer Psychology helped."

Some time ago, before the dawn and after I collected Haru from Inventory, I had given her a detailed explanation about the RPG System and what she obtained as a member of my party. The explanation went well. Haru accepted everything easily and asked not much.

"I see. Can you continue?"

Haru looked at the dead Pill Rabbit in my hand, its blood dripping ceaselessly.

"As you wish." Haru nodded firmly and poised her Wakizashi to strike again.

I stored the bloodied corpse of Pill Rabbit in an empty slot of Inventory and then took out another Pill Rabbit, still living.

This one was LV 8, two levels higher than before.

There were several Pill Rabbit, Pikyu-Pikyus, and Dark Porcupines kept inside my Inventory.

Haru stabbed it. This time, her movement was better.

It looked like she had learned a skill called Single-Edged Sword Mastery.

We repeated it until Haru got desensitized to the blood and death of monsters. The notification had stopped cropping up right after each kill. Since the pause between each monster became shorter, the system likely rounded them together for later.

Finally, there were no living monsters left in my Inventory.

"Master, where should I assign this XP? My Class or my Job?"

I put my XP assignment on hold and focused on Haru's. I had split the XPs for the three of us; me, Yaris, and Haru. We had gathered thousands of XPs because of RPG System's Growth Stabilizer and Holy Weapon's 10x Growth.

"Well, assign them to your Job. You're already high leveled enough… For now."

"Understood."

Haru's Job leveled up several times. Most skills unlocked were Hidden Status boosters. Her Constitution, Dexterity, Charm, and Luck were passively increased by Small amount. She also unlocked two skills called Charm and Sexual Instinct.

Charm would charm all monsters and characters if their Charm stat was below Haru's. Useful for distraction, but it wouldn't affect anyone with Gamer Psychology.

Sexual Instinct gave Haru the ability to perceive the sexual desire of her sexual partner and to act on it with a slightly increased effect. Well, this would be useful for our sexual activity.

I assigned my XP for Job and hit the Level Cap of Enchanter Job. As I'd guessed, the LV 10 Skill was Enchant Formula IV. I could give items better enchantments with the new formula that cropped up in my mind.

I picked High-Enchanter as my next Job and assigned the leftover XP. The Job leveled up two times. The unlocked skills were Enchant Formula Mk. V and VI.

Yaris had maxed out her Sentient Weapon Job. The last skill of that Job was Projection. It allowed Yaris to project her humanoid form. However, it was only a projection. An illusion.

I guess she could really transform after maxing out her second Job, Sentient Artifact.

And speaking of Yaris' appearance…

[Why!? Why dost thou have forsaken me, world!?]

Yaris' loud wail echoed in our mind, making us flinch. Her voice that sounded like Kana Ueda's voice was full of agony and unaddressed injustice.

She was on all fours, punching the ground with one hand. But, her hand just sunk into the ground since she was only an illusion.

She had a well-featured delicate face. Her skin was pale, but not sickly pale, it was healthy pale, referencing the pearly white color that dominated her form as the Holy Spear. Her eyes were ruby red, like the crimson gem in her Weapon Form. Her hair was long and was tied up in twin-tails style. It was like countless golden strings that were growing out of her head, referencing the golden ornaments on the Holy Spear. She was wearing a simple white dress with a black ribbon and laces.

Overall, her theme referenced the Holy Spear. If I told someone that she was a Saintess or a Holy Woman or even a Goddess, they would agree immediately. Her appearance was just that sublime.

She looked like a supermodel who cosplayed as Ereshkigal from Fate/Grand Order.

Why Ereshkigal, though? It would be amazing if her form looked like Scathatch or Artoria Lancer or Summer Tamamo or other sexy female Lancer-class Servants from Fate/Grand Order.

Well, I was just nitpicking. I wasn't truly disappointed. As a matter of fact, I was happy that Yaris' humanoid form was so pretty.

Truth be told, her face could be said to be prettier than Haru's.

However, there was a single flaw in her goddess-like appearance…

[Arg! I know I am a spear, but why my humanoid form is so slender like a spear! Unfair! I can't accept this!]

Tears poured from her red eyes. Those ruby-like orbs were full of resentment, glaring at Haru's ample bosom.

Haru's chest binding didn't hide her size, it just kept them on the place. Thus, Haru's generous tits were very noticeable.

"Mister Rif?" Haru looked troubled, alternating her look between me and the jealous spectral woman.

She didn't know what to do.

I released a faint sigh and called for Yaris.

[What?!] She pouted at me, her voice echoing in our heads. [What's it? Are you going to laugh at my boobs? I'm sorry for having small boobs! It's not like I want to have small boobs, you know! I want to have big boobs too! Ugh…]

Yaris whined and fell on all fours again. Gloomy clouds hovered above her head.

I guess it was an illusion or something like that.

I shook my head at her overdramatic action…

"You shouldn't be ashamed by your bosom's size. You have an attractive form. You're, in fact, prettier than Haru."

"I concur." Haru chimed in. She was being honest.

[Liar! Master, you are a booby man! You like girls with big boobs!]

"Really, Mister Rif?! Did that mean you like my boobs?"

"Haru, be silent. You are not helping. And Yaris, it isn't like you really have a flat chest…"

It was true that Yaris had a slender figure and small boobs. But, she still had boobs to grope, just fit enough on my palm, unlike Haru's ample boobs that were very big like a ripe melon.

Big enough that my hand was unable to wrap on it.

[See! SEE! Ugh! I want to have big boobs too!]

Ops. Yaris could hear my mind.

She started whining about injustice and whatnot.

I was certain all lolicon would become outraged when they heard Yaris' complaints.

"Couldn't you, like, change your appearance?"

[I can't!]

"Why?"

[This form is stuck with me. I don't know the reason, but I just can't change it!]

With that, I had a hunch that Yaris' inferiority over her bust's size would become her shtick later on.

We kept going back and forth until I somehow calmed Yaris.

We decided to continue power-level as we went in the direction of Lafan.

After some time, our second Jobs were maxed out. I assigned Blacksmith as my third Job, Yaris had Spearman as her third Job, and Haru had Swordsman as hers.

As an aside, Yaris now could transform into a corporeal humanoid form. She obtained the skill at LV 10 of Sentient Artifact.

Since Yaris had a skill called Item Creation, though it was specialized for spears in her Weapon's Transformation List, she could fight by spamming projected spears like Gilgamesh, Shirou Emiya, or CG EMIYA. Whenever her MP was dried up, she would tap at mine since I rarely used it.

It looked like I wasn't the only one who could drain SP from her (SP was originated from Holy Weapon), but Yaris could use my MP pool whenever she wants. At least, she asked for my consent first.

When she was fighting in her humanoid form, I was using her projections in my two hands to fight. The Holy Weapon system accepted the items that Yaris projected as her, so I could do that. I felt like I was becoming the badass Lancer of the Fuyuki's Fourth Holy Grail War with two spears.

Haru became better at fighting. She would use her speed and nimbleness to box her enemy and sent a precise, deadly attack to end the fight.

We arrived in Lafan when the sun was almost set on the horizon. We had progressed so much in a very short time.

My secondary Class had become LV 30, my Blacksmith Job was completed and I assigned Smith Master as the fourth Job. Haru was LV 28, and she had obtained her fourth Job, Samurai. Yaris was the only one who had unlocked her fifth Job, Spell Caster.

It was quite a surprise when Yaris asked for that Job. But, I didn't have problems with it.

When we entered Lafan, my entourage and I gathered so much attention. It was understandable.

Haru was very sexy, and her Kunoichi outfit made her look exotic. Yaris was so attractive that she was like a goddess descended to the mortal realm (and it wasn't far off the mark since Yaris was a Divine Construct, to begin with.) Then, there was me, a man who had significantly boosted Charm stat.

So, yeah, it was understandable that we were the center of attention.

We went to the best inn in Lafan and enjoyed the specialty of the establishment. As usual, I ate excessively. At least, I wasn't alone. Haru and Yaris engorged themselves on the food.

Haru rarely if ever ate delicious food because her old master, and Yaris wanted to enjoy the food due to the taste bud she acquired after transforming into her humanoid form.

After we engorged ourselves, we turned our backs from the awestruck expression of the other customers and left for our room.

—Extra: Shield "Devil"—

A week went by.

A week since this another world adventure that was SUPPOSED to be FUN. But it was ruined because of my companion's betrayal.

I hated her. Because of her, I lost my reputation, trust, and money. Just as my adventure began, I lost it all.

The whole world looked awful to me then. Hideous.

Not only her, but I also hated the trash king, the cult leader, and the delusional kid named Itsuki for their so-called righteous trial.

Hah! Don't make me laugh! They had accused me of sexually assaulting Myne Suphia when I got drunk. But I couldn't get drunk since I could remember! Also, I didn't touch wine that night!

It was clearly Myne's trap. She planned everything. I hated her, I hated this world, and I wanted this world burn.

I think my anger toward the world is justified. After all, they had summoned me here. But, look! What had they done to me?!

All that aside, I stayed relatively close to the castle so far.

"Hey there, Shield-Guy."

"Huh?!"

It was the owner of the weapon shop. I'd been walking around town in my underclothes, and he called me over when he saw me.

Granted, I'd been passing right by his shop, but what could he have wanted?

"I heard that you tried to take advantage of your friend. Come over here and let me give you a hard smack."

It was like he had no intention of listening to me in the first place. Hatred was on his face, and his hand was curled into a tight fist.

"You too?!"

No one wanted to listen to me. No one believed me. Granted, I was from another world, and the common sensibilities of this land were a mystery to me. But even then, I was not the type of person to force myself on a woman. No way!

Ugh… it was making me sick. Even the owner of the weapon shop started to look like her. Like that backstabbing bitch!

I could probably kill him with a well-placed punch. My hand was also curled into a fist. I glared at him.

"You…" he widened his eyes suddenly.

"What? Weren't you gonna hit me or something?"

His hand relaxed, and he didn't seem as on-edge.

"So, he is right…"

"The hell are you talking, old dude?!"

I wanted to punch him, but I stopped myself. What good would that do? I needed to focus my anger on the balloons, it would at least do me some good. If I focused my anger on them, I could level up and make some money.

"Wait for a sec!"

"What?!"

I was standing at the town gate, ready to leave for the fields, when the weapon shop guy called out to me again. I turned to him, and he tossed a bag in my direction.

"You'll never make it dressed like that. At least take this."

I looked inside the bag and raised my brows in confusion. It contained a cape, some clothes, a shield with a sharpened edge, and several sheets of rough-looking paper.

"How much are these worth?"

"No need to pay for that. Someone else has paid them for you."

"Who?!"

"You'll find out if you read the massage."

"Got it."

Honestly, I was starting to worry about going around in my underwear. Also, who was the mysterious guy who bought all of these for me?

Was he meant well? Or was this another ploy to make me suffer?

"If you need anything, you know where my shop, lad. I will give you a fair price."

"Sure you will."

I flung the cape over my shoulders, changed into the clothes, and left for the fields. I planned to read the letters when I was alone.

After resting under a tree's shade (and making sure that there were no monsters around), I took the rough paper and found the content was written in Japanese.

I became angry when I remembered the faces of Itsuki and Ren. Well, the latter wasn't much as the former.

Ren wasn't around when the so-called trial of justice happened. It was Itsuki, the king, and the High Priest who judged me guilty and shamed me, changing my name into "Shield Devil."

Since then, I was known as "Shield Devil," a rapist, a criminal, and a sinner in the town. I hated those three so much that I wanted them to suffer!

I forcefully squashed my anger and began reading.

The letter explained how this kingdom, Melromarc, had a deep prejudice for Shield Hero and Demi-Humans. It was due to my rotten luck that I was summoned as the Shield Hero. I became angry.

The king actually hated the existence of demi-humans and their deified figure, Shield Hero, because he'd lost his parents and little sister to demi-humans. No wonder the trash king always giving me cold looks. He actually hated me just because I was summoned as the Shield Hero. I hated him too, no, I hated him so much…

The letter also warned me about the Church of the Three Heroes, the heretic cult that preached the Shield Hero was evil and all. This made me remember of the High Priest's face, and my anger and hatred increased.

The latter told me that Myne was actually the first princess of this kingdom, and because her personality issues (and the letter's sender even called her like a venomous viper, which I wholeheartedly agreed upon), she wasn't appointed as the crown princess. Her little sister was appointed as the crown princess instead. The latter's sender even said he had a bad feeling about the girl. Well, no wonder he looked at Myne, no, her real name was Malty S. Melromarc, like she was waste disposal.

I felt angry with myself for being fooled by her sweet action. I'd been a fool. Shame on me, then.

I discovered that Melromarc was actually a matriarchal country and the king, the first princess, the cult, and the king's aides had summoned all holy heroes against the agreement with other countries. Because of that, the Queen who could be an ally for Shield Hero, namely me, needed to do damage controls outside of the countries. She needed to do that so a war wouldn't break up when the Wave of Destruction hit the whole world.

I didn't believe in the letter's claim. In my eyes, every member of the royal family in this country was utter trash. The Queen should have kept a tight leash on her trashy husband and bitchy daughter. She was also guilty! I hated her!

Personally, I would be happy if this country was razed to the ground by other countries. I hated this country so much. I wanted this country to burn!

I learned the name of two countries who deified the Shield Hero. They were countries that were the antithesis of Melromarc who believed in human supremacy. Those countries named Siltvelt and Shieldfreeden. I regretted dismissing their offer to take me away to those countries. Staying in a country that respected Shield Hero sounded nice.

Or not… I was warned to be careful because some leaders of those countries were corrupt. The name Jaralis was stored in my memory, I needed to be careful around a beastman with that name. He and his followers would use me if I wasn't treading carefully.

So, this world was rotten to the core. Nothing was good in this world. Then, this world should have just burnt!

I became angry. So, so angry…

But, I restrained my anger. I would unleash it to those Balloons after reading these letters.

I learned about the holy weapon's strengthening methods and tried them. I could unlock the methods of the Sword, the Spear, and the extras, but not the Bow. I suppose I despised Itsuki so much that I didn't want to have any relation to him.

The letter told me many things, and it told me that the letter's sender had bought a demi-human slave to help me out. I just needed to go to the Slave Trader in the back alley of the castle town to get her. In the beginning, the idea of accepting the slave sounded good to me. After all, Slaves could die when they violated some rules set by their masters.

I knew that piece of information from the letter.

But, I decided against it because the slave was a girl. Just the gender alone made me remember of that insufferable Bitch!

In addition, the slave was supposed to be a royal lineage of a country in the far east of this world. The letter said that she had massive untapped potential and I would be able to unleash this potential. But, learning that this slave was also a princess, even an unofficial one, made me very, very angry. She reminded me of Malty, no, Bitch!

Yeah, I am going to refer to Malty as Bitch from now on!

Well, the letter didn't explain the slave's royal lineage, but it still alluded to it.

I didn't want her. I knew that this would spat on my benefactor's goodwill, but I didn't fucking care!

I didn't want to get high blood pressure from staying around someone who reminded me of Bitch so much.

Finally, I crumpled all the paper and put it back to the bag. I would burn it later, just as the note at the end of it.

I looked at the sky and found that it was going to be evening soon.

My mind was spinning from many things.

Those things were the information that I obtained from the letters…and the sender.

"So, this is from that guy, huh? I guess it came from his game knowledge. Still, since his knowledge seems to be true so far, I will keep it in mind from now. Who knows if it can help me later on…"

Arif, the Spear Hero. That guy gave me mixed feelings.

I had a deep scar because of what he'd done in the throne chamber a bit over a week ago. He was dangerous, and I would be lying if I said that I didn't feel scared of him.

I felt annoyed because he wasn't here when I was "judged" by the trash king, the heretic cult leader, and that delusional kid. I felt a bit relieved because it looked like he was still my "ally." I felt ashamed for treating him like a plague and felt gratitude because he had done so much for me behind the scene.

I decided to treat him at least neutrally next time when we met.

Also, I needed to collect money to pay back all he spent for me.

I was grateful for his help, but I didn't want to get indebted to anyone.

It looked like he needed something from me, and if I paid back all the things he gave me, we were even. I would like to see if he was shameless enough to ask something from me after that.

"All right. Now, I need to get stronger and collect money."

I needed to collect money to buy a slave according to my preference and pay back everything that Arif had bough for me.

I didn't want to owe anyone for anything, even if he was my supposed "ally."

I took out the shield from the bag and hold it for a few moments.

…

Chakram Shield: copied: ability locked

…

Chakram Shield (C) 0/5

Ability: locked: requirement to unlock: LV 10

Equip Bonus: Attack +2

…

After receiving the notification, I wondered about something and decided to try it.

It was said that the Holy Shield would make it happen if I believed it, right?

…

You have learned a skill!

Dual Wield:

…

A notification cropped up in my field of vision. It was a success.

I read the skill's information in silence.

It looks like I could equip another shield-type "weapon" in my free hand, but the special ability wouldn't get unlocked unless I reached the required LV.

At least, I still got the Equip Bonus and could use it.

With two Chakram Shields on both hands, I searched for some Balloons.

"Arrrrgggghhhh!"

It took about 1 minute to kill one of them, but they weren't able to hurt me, so all it took was time, which wasn't that long compared to my first attempt when she was still my companion.

I spent most of the afternoon fighting and was able to secure a significant amount of balloon skins.

…

Level up!

You are now level 3

…

I finally leveled up again.

Just as the sun was going down, I realized that I was hungry. I trudged back to the gate and made for the shop I'd been told would buy my battle loot.

A portly man stood behind the counter. He was laughing heartily as he looked me over. He was going to turn me away. I could tell.

There was another customer there also, already selling loot, among which I spotted some balloon skins.

"Yes, yes. How about one bronze piece for two of these skins?"

They were deciding on a price for the balloon skins.

So, only one piece of bronze for two of them…

"Please."

"Thank you very much."

The customer left, leaving me alone in the shop.

"Hey, I brought you some of my battle loot. I hope you'll buy it from me. Heh, heh."

"Welcome! Welcome!"

Did he think I couldn't hear the giggling that followed all of his sentences?

"So you've got some balloon skins, huh? How about one bronze piece for ten of 'em?"

A fifth the price?! He was looking at his feet the whole time!

"Didn't you just offer that customer one piece for two skins?"

"Did I? I can't seem to remember…"

He went on for a few minutes, making various excuses about his stock.

"Fine then," I said, grabbing him by the collar and pulling him close.

"What are you doing?!"

"Buy this stuff off me too. He's still alive, and a real kicker."

I had a Red Balloon hidden under my cape, where it was fruitlessly biting my shoulder. The little shit was something that I couldn't kill even with the two Chakram Shield. I had given up on defeating it after 30 minutes hitting it to no avail. I removed it and put it right in the shop owner's face, where it promptly bit down on the man's nose.

"AHHHHHHHHH!"

He started screaming and rolling around on the floor. I pulled the balloon off of him and pulled him up by the collar.

"Should I take these little things back to the fields where I got them, or do you want to buy them off of me?"

I pulled back my cape to reveal five additional Red Balloons. I'd realized that their attacks didn't hurt me, so I was able to carry them around, and use them against others if I chose to do so. Previously, I had many Yellow and Orange Balloons on me, but I'd popped all of them because of my slightly boosted attack power, thanks to Chakram Shields.

It was an ingenious strategy if I do say so myself. It would help with my negotiations. Besides, I had a ridiculously low attack power, so I wasn't able to threaten anyone without them.

Surely, the man would understand. Surely, he knew that if I left the balloons there, they'd eat the guy down to his bones.

"I'm not asking for much, just a fair price. Our talks start with the market price."

"But the country will…"

"Look, I don't give a flying fuck about what this country will do? You're a merchant, right? You should accept all customers as long as they bring you profit!"

I became very angry when the merchant mentioned this rotten country. I was trying to ignore this small detail, deluding myself that this place wasn't the corrupt country that had made me suffer.

"If you'll buy from me consistently, I'll sell to you for just under the market price."

"Honestly, I'd like to refuse, but there's no sin in business."

"Heh. You finally got it."

In the end, I was able to convince him to buy my loot at just under market price.

I took the money for my loot and went to a restaurant to get some dinner.

The food, however, tasted like nothing.

It was like eating unflavored gum. At first, I thought someone was pulling a trick on me, but soon enough I realized the problem lay with me.

Where would I stay? I had no money, so I slept in the fields. The balloons weren't capable of hurting me, so there was no real problem.

When I woke in the morning, I was covered in balloons. It was something like a Tibetan Sky Burial. It didn't hurt though, and I used them to burn off some stress, popping them one by one.

I was already filling my pockets, and I'd just woken up!

Just then, I came up with an idea. I could make money without having to kill these things all day. It's true that I could pop them, but the number of Yellow and Orange Balloons, the weakest and second weakest of the Balloon's species had dwindled.

The first thing to do was to find some loot, besides the balloon skins, that I could sell for a profit. There were grasses in the field that had medicinal value, and I'd seen an apothecary in town, and I am pretty sure I could sell off the grasses if I picked them.

I walked around the fields, picking grasses as I found them. Suddenly, my shield began to react. It absorbed the grasses as I picked them.

…

Leaf Shield: conditions met

…

I spent the remainder of the day walking around, mechanically picking grass and filling my bag. Also, and I don't know if it was because I had been collecting Aelo Herbs all day or just because time had passed since I switched shields, the Leaf Shield equip bonus was unlocked. It was called "Collection Up" which increased the quality of herbs that I harvested.

I made my way back to town and decided to try and sell my herbs.

"These are in excellent shape. Where did you get them?" the shop owner asked after I showed my herbs.

"In the fields around the town. Didn't you know it grew here?"

"I did, but I've never seen such high-quality stuff around. I thought only junk grew out there."

We chatted for a little bit, and eventually, he bought the grass off of me. My stash was worth one piece of silver and 50 pieces of bronze… which was much better than I had done so far. It was a new record.

I had a cheap dinner at a restaurant. As I was eating, a few people stopped by to ask if I would join their party. Unfortunately, they all looked… disreputable. I soon came to find their intrusions annoying.

Ever since that day, all the food I ate tasted like nothing.

"I'll join YOUR party, Shield Hero," said some guy, who clearly thought a lot of himself.

Honestly, I didn't like the idea of joining up with anyone at that point. Besides, they all had this look in their eyes that reminded me of that Bitch. Just looking at them made me angry.

In the end, they were nothing but rotten garbage. Just like everyone else in this rotten country. Honestly, I hoped that Siltvelt and Shieldfreeden declared war on this disgusting country already!

I had taken a balloon from my cape and let it bite the man's face.

People threw a fit. I had brought balloons into the restaurant, but what did I care? I pulled the balloon off of the screaming man, kicked the man for a good measure, put money on the table for my meal and left.

And so, days passed by.

It had been two weeks since I received Arif's letters and other stuff.

I worked hard for two weeks and managed to save up 70 pieces of silver, which means that I finally had 100 pieces of silvers. It was equal to one gold piece. I was a tad glad that I had saved a small amount in my shield when I was trialed by the trash king, the heretic cult leader, and Itsuki.

Something about it all felt hopeless. I mean, even with two Chakram shield, my attack power severely limited the places I could visit.

I didn't get hurt or anything, but the Yellow and Orange Balloons had become very hard to find lately. I couldn't even pop the Red Balloon, so forget the other colors. Red Balloon was supposed to be a bit stronger than Orange Balloons. The third weakest in the chain, so the speak. The weakest was Yellow Balloon, and Orange Balloon was just slightly stronger than the weakest.

It meant that I couldn't actually leave the fields, and therefore was forced to do my leveling up there, which I did for two weeks. I eventually reached level 8 and was stuck there. Because of that, I couldn't unlock the unique ability of Chakram Shield or used the enchantment of the one I got from the shop owner and Arif.

I wonder what level Arif had reached. I don't want to think about it. That battle maniac already had a very high level, probably.

There was still a Red Balloon chewing on my arm. It just kept going and going, like it could saw through the bone or something. I'd gone to the forest a whole week prior. I must have leveled up since then. I tried hitting the balloon.

…Clang!

"Sigh…"

My attack was still too low. Even with the Chakram Shield's Equip Bonus.

If my attack is low, I can't hunt monsters.

If I can't hunt monsters, I can't get EXP points.

If I can't get EXP points, I can't raise my attack.

Dammit! I needed something to help me kill these little fuckers… Wait! I forgot about those slaves that Arif's letters mentioned. I guess I would visit the Slave Trader's tent in the back alley.

And so, I arrived in front of a tent. It reminded me of a circus tent.

I had coerced some thugs with Red Balloons to get here. All is well in the end.

I knocked on the heavy door and waited patiently. Soon, the door opened up from the other side. I saw a little girl with reddish eyes and dog-like ears on top of her head.

I suppose she was the so-called demi-humans. I had seen some in the town and they were slaves and were treated badly by their masters.

She looked around ten years old and was wearing a simple, plain dress.

Even so, looking at her made me angry and sick. Because she was a girl, she reminded me of that Bitch.

"D-Do you need something?" The little girl asked suspiciously.

I wondered if I was in the correct place.

"Is this place a slave shop?" I decided to be direct.

"Yes?" She nodded slowly and maintained her suspicious look.

"I want to buy a slave. You aren't the owner of this place, right? Call the owner."

"Ah! A customer? Wait for a few moments. I am going to call for Sir Beloukas."

…Blam!

The little girl slammed the door shut and left me standing here. I was very, very angry at her.

Soon, the door opened up and I saw a strange-looking gentleman.

Yes, he was a strange gentleman by any measure: absurdly obese and furnished with polished glasses. He didn't seem to fit the world, which was much more like the Middle Ages. So he stuck out dramatically from his surroundings. He was inspecting me and I sensed his look lingering on my shield for a brief moment.

"Excuse me, Sir. Are you the Shield Hero, perhaps?"

"Been a while since someone called me that. Nowadays, people called me Devil and whatnot. But, yeah…"

"Ah. I have heard the news of your so-called trial, sir. By the way, I have been waiting for you."

"Huh? Is it related to the Spear Hero?"

"Maybe yes, maybe not. Who knows…"

I clicked my tongue when I realized that the Slave Trader was a slippery person.

Soon, the Slave Trader brought me inside. The place was horrible, but I ignored it. He then called someone named "Raphtalia" and the little girl from before came to our location.

I could connect the dots easily. So, this rude girl was the slave who Arif had bought for me.

"Anyway, she is…"

"The slave Arif bought, yeah? I don't need her." I cut the Slave Trader's words.

The Slave Trader and the girl froze and then looked at me, wide-eyed. The Slave Trader soon recovered and began to stammer, "well, sir, she was bought for you and I only keep her around because Spear Hero has paid me to do so."

"As I said, I don't want her!"

Venom slipped into my voice when my anger and hatred for Bitch took a hold on me for a brief moment.

The girl flinched and turned her body smaller. Her body was shaking due to whatever reason…

When I looked at her reaction, I relished in it. I imagined it was Bitch in the little girl's place, and I wanted to make her suffer.

It had been a while since I unleashed all my negative feelings. Because of how hard it was to find Yellow and Orange Balloons nowadays, I couldn't release my pent up negative emotions. It had been several days since I could just let loose.

When I saw the little girl cowering before me, I saw something different. In her place wasn't a ten-year-old girl with dog-like ears, but that insufferable Bitch.

It was when something snapped in me

…

Curse Series: Wrath Shield: conditions met

…

There was a notification, but I ignored it. All pent up anger, hatred, and frustration… I poured all to the girl. Abusive words directed to her escaped my mouth without a filter.

Everything wasn't clear afterward. My mind was clouded by my frustration, anger, and hatred. I just spilled everything until I was satisfied.

When I calmed down, I found myself on the floor, pinned by two people. Their levels were filled by question marks, signifying their high levels.

The Slave Trader was standing behind another person with a question mark in their level.

The girl was curling on the floor, her small body was trembling. She kept chanting "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" like a broken recorder.

I realized that I'd snapped.

"Sorry about that," I apologized softly and begrudgingly. "I'd calmed down."

The people who pinned me didn't immediately release me. They seemed asked the Slave Trader's decision in silence.

"Are you sure that you have really calmed down?"

"Yeah," I grunted. "I won't lose control again. I promise."

"A-Alright then. You can release the Shield Hero."

They finally released me. I swiftly stood up and made my blood flow again.

The Slave Trader spoke something to the little girl. She quickly left like the devil hot on her tail. She didn't dare to look in my direction.

It looked like I'd made the girl utterly terrified of me and the Slave Trader wary of me.

Good. It was better if that girl followed the Spear Hero. Arif bought the girl, and I didn't want to increase my piled up debt to him. He'd helped me so much.

If I accepted that girl, I would just abuse her. I don't want to do that to the goodwill of someone else.

It was very rare to get a good guy nowadays. I wanted my relation with Arif to stay neutral.

"All right," I began, "Show me your cheapest slaves. No female."

"Understood, sir. Please follow me."

Escorted by the three strong people, the Slave Trader led me somewhere.

Soon, I faced two cages. The first one had a rabbit-type demi-human with the physical defect; one of his hands was bent in a strange direction. The other one contained a murderous looking lizardmen. I decided to buy the lizardmen because he reminded me of a savage attack dog. Just something that I needed.

The transaction was quick. After paying everything for 45 pieces of silver (5 pieces for the ritual and a bottle of ink because I remembered Arif's advice about Slave Trainer Series), I left with my new attack dog or lizard in this case. At least, he was very docile around me. But, he looked ready to kill when someone else got near.

He was only docile and harmless around me. Then again, I had the easiest time to befriend dangerous animals easily since I could remember. I could recall when a savage dog that would attack everyone else had allowed me to ride on its back in my childhood.

Regardless, I had something to attack. Now, I could start power-leveling for real.

My adventure in this disgusting world began here!

Explanation Time!

About Naofumi: As you have known from the source materials, at the beginning of the story, Naofumi was an angsty, angry, edgelord since Malty's betrayal was still fresh. He was very, very childish, stubborn, and blindly throwing a temper tantrum. He felt entitled to lash out his anger and frustration as he pleased because he styled himself as the tragic victim, here.

Naofumi was very naive. He believed that being summoned as the hero was fun and game when the truth was the other way. He stated that it SUPPOSED to be FUN. So, when he was treated so badly, he couldn't endure it. His worldview was flipped. He cracked! He snapped!

There was a parallel between Naofumi and Itsuki in their sense of entitlement. Itsuki believed himself to be the righteous hero, which he was far from. And Naofumi believed it was his right to be angry and vicious with his lashing out.

Actually, all holy heroes in this story, Arif included, had the same thing. All of them were very presumptuous. Ren believed himself to be in a VR Game, Itsuki believed himself to be the chosen one and the Ally of Justice, Naofumi believed himself to be in a world of fun and game like what happened in Isekai novels, and Arif styled himself as a Chess master due to his foreknowledge. But, I digress.

The only thing that kept Naofumi grounded was his lashing out at the Yellow and Orange Balloons and collecting money. In the canon, Naofumi couldn't pop the Red Balloons. Only the Yellow and Orange variant, which I assumed to be the weakest and second weakest after the former.

In this story, since Yellow and Orange Balloons were hunted to near extinction by Naofumi so early for releasing his anger and for the loots, only Red Balloons were left. He couldn't pop them. And it made Naofumi accumulate pent up frustration.

Arif's assistance was a double edge here. It's true that he helped Naofumi to get a higher level and more money than in canon, but it was the small change with big repercussions. As an aside, he didn't give his 30 silvers safekeeping in this story.

After the betrayal, Naofumi lost his ability to trust everyone else. Even toward Erhard who helped him and understood that he was innocent, Naofumi was scared to trust him. Hence, he treated Erhard strictly in a business manner.

In this story, Naofumi had mixed feelings for Arif and settled in treating Arif in the same manner as he treated Erhard. This was still within Arif's calculation. BUT, Arif also MISCALCULATED.

Arif's calculation involved Raphtalia, and he made a big mistake. In the canon, the reason behind Naofumi's decision to buy Raphtalia is to watch Raphtalia SUFFER. He was projecting his hatred for Malty toward a ten-year-old traumatized girl who lost everything. Honestly, this is canon. Naofumi was such a dick in the beginning. I think it was justified, but my personal opinion spoke he should be less dickish.

Naofumi began to treat Raphtalia better when he realized that Raphtalia was also hurting from her nightmares. Naofumi realizes that Raphtalia wasn't Malty and he couldn't keep Bitch's image and a suffering little girl who cried at night due to nightmares.

In Arif's letter, Arif explained Raphtalia's special lineage as the descendant of a badass female MONARCH who wielded Vassal Hammer. He did that to make Naofumi see Raphtalia's potential and accept her. He knew that Naofumi needed someone with high attack power, but he underestimated Naofumi's hatred. In Naofumi's perspective, Raphtalia was like Malty, royal blood and it increased his anger due to some similarities.

Instead of making Naofumi interested to get Raphtalia, Arif just made Naofumi disliked the concept of having Raphtalia in his party.

The last factor that made Naofumi snap at Raphtalia was her "rudeness." I don't think that Raphtalia was wrong because that area was dangerous. And, Raphtalia was still a kid.

Well, I'm not sure if unlocking the first requirement of Curse Series: Wrath is pushing it too far, but let's not dwell on it.

In addition, the reason behind Arif's decision to buy everything for Naofumi was to instill a sense of gratitude. Arif didn't help Naofumi for free. He wanted something from Naofumi in the future. Naofumi understood this. He had already owed Arif so much from the things he got from Erhard. He didn't want to get into more debt. Hence, he didn't accept Raphtalia after he calmed down.

By the way, the part about the savage dog in Naofumi's childhood is a canon. He really has his way with vicious animals.

That's all, I suppose. The Psychological Report of other characters, Arif included, will appear in other chapters.

Now, Review!