The Rising of the Shield Hero Vol 14 Read online

  “You might be right, but I also have that to thank him for his saving me. Back then, I really was having a very hard time of it.” She had been very unlucky with the life she was born into. That was a fact. It probably couldn’t be helped if her personality was a little twisted as a result. She went on. “It really made an impression on me when, after hearing about my work, he apologized for asking so casually about such a painful topic.”

  “That was the first time anyone had said something like that to you?” I inquired. Sadeena looked up at the sky without any of her normal joking around. “You really did love him, didn’t you?”

  “Hmmm. Not in the way you are thinking, perhaps. Not after meeting you, little Naofumi, and comparing the two experiences,” she reckoned. Seriously! But still, she knew her own mind. “And anyway, he already had someone he liked.”

  “Raphtalia’s mother?” I ventured. Sadeena gave a quiet nod. Was there something there too? She divulged more. “She was a raccoon type, I believe, far from the Heavenly Emperor by blood. Of course, that didn’t make any difference to Raphtalia’s father. He chose her anyway.”

  “How did the two of them meet?”

  “She was a maid in the castle. A great cook, and she could handle other housework too. Smart, and kind. A real homemaker mom, you know? Raphtalia’s father was totally smitten, and she made him work to win her over.” From Sadeena’s response, the whole chain of events sounded quite pleasant to behold. “Time passed like that, anyway, with the health of the Heavenly Emperor gradually getting worse, and so the discussion turned to who would take the position next. That was when the attacks started on Raphtalia’s father, who was next in line. They called him unworthy to hold the post due to his general demeanor.” Yeah, I heard about things like this in Japan’s history. In the Edo period, all that infighting among the harem. I hated those bitter power struggles among women—or perhaps more accurately, those who infested a world that was finally at peace after a long period of conflict.

  In any case, I could see why Raphtalia’s father would run away from that power.

  She went on. “He’d never done anything publicly wrong, but the rumors stuck. The condition of the Heavenly Emperor only worsened after he met with Raphtalia’s father too.” That definitely sounded like some kind of plot. “He told me that if things carried on like this, the struggle to become the next Heavenly Emperor was going to get him killed. If the only other choice was to get embroiled in an unwanted conflict, he decided to flee and asked me to join them.”

  “He dragged you into something nasty.”

  “Not really. Raphtalia’s parents were the only ones who were nice to me, and I was completely out in the cold when it came to the struggle to become emperor.” Without that suspicious oracle ability, it seemed her standing had been pretty low.

  Hah! Imagine believing that Sadeena had no natural abilities. Did they even have eyes?

  “He was looking for people to aid him. I talked with the water dragon about what I should do, and he told me that I should go along to protect them.”

  “So you chose to leave.”

  “Yes. From the water dragon, some other collaborators, and Raluva and the current resistance, I was given the ostensible punishment of having my level reset, and then I was assigned to protect Raphtalia’s parents.” So she had played the role of protector back then too. She continued. “During our time on the road, Raphtalia’s parents became like my own and taught me all sorts of things. Gave me a taste of what a normal household was like. From my point of view, they are like my real parents. Those memories are more precious to me than anything.” That explained why Sadeena treasured Raphtalia’s parents, and Raphtalia, so much. “After that, we drifted through many countries, just letting the flow take us, until we ended up in Melromarc, with their exclusion of demi-humans. And that was when we met the governor who wanted consolidation with the demi-human nations.”

  “It sounds like a difficult time. The way Raphtalia talks to you, though, it seems she keeps her distance a bit,” I wondered. They didn’t feel like sisters who had been raised together. Sadeena was more like an older girl from the same neighborhood.

  “That’s because once little Raphtalia’s mother got pregnant I kept a little more distance, of course. Raphtalia’s father didn’t seem to mind, but I didn’t want their daughter turning out like me!”

  “I don’t think they could have made that happen, even if they’d wanted to.”

  “Oh my!”

  So these two people so precious to her had died in the first wave. Of course she would care for Raphtalia. Receiving no love from her own parents, Raphtalia’s parents had instead provided so much love and caring.

  Thinking of it like that, Sadeena really was like Raphtalia’s big sister.

  “That’s given me some background on your origins, Sadeena, and about Raphtalia’s parents. Finally, I need to hear about the bloodline of the current Heavenly Emperor,” I declared.

  “In regard to that, I don’t know any more than the reports.”

  “I guess not.” The information provided by Raluva was that the battle for succession had seen many assassinations and other skullduggery, and now there was only one person left in Q’ten Lo who was the bloodline of the Heavenly Emperor.

  Furthermore, that person was a child.

  A child who loved filolials, had given the order to protect life, and placed sakura stone of destiny blessings on his underlings like he was giving out candy.

  The real power lay behind the throne, then, with the Heavenly Emperor simply acting as a figurehead. Makina was the real one pulling the strings.

  Then she stated, “Still, I never believed I’d be back here in Q’ten Lo, trying to take the nation. Never even dreamed it.” With that, Sadeena took a drink. There was a cup across from her, even if no one was there. Maybe she was making an offering to Raphtalia’s parents.

  “Like we have a choice. If you’ve got a complaint, share it with the people here who let this mess happen,” I sneered.

  “I’m not complaining. It does feel strange, though, once having been so fixated on a pointless position.”

  “Hmmm.” In a rare moment for me, I moved close to the eloquent Sadeena, gave her a hug, and patted her on the back.

  “I think Raphtalia’s parents would be proud of you too. Maybe they’d tell you that you’re pushing yourself too hard. That you need to relax a little,” I consoled. She was always so bubbly but was already clearly trying so hard. The reason she was stirring up trouble with Atla was surely because she wanted to confirm Raphtalia’s real strength.

  “But I’ve failed to protect so many people. Those in the village, and even Raphtalia’s parents themselves,” she lamented.

  “I know this isn’t going to be much help, coming from me. But I’m still going to say it. What do you think you are, an all-powerful god? It would have been incredible if you could have saved them, of course, but unfortunately, none of us are gods.” At least when I had Raph-chan on my head, I hadn’t seen any ghosts in the village. Raphtalia also seemed to have been suffering from nightmares, but she’d gotten over it. “I’m only capable of making irresponsible comments, perhaps, but if anyone said things like ‘Sadeena, you should have saved us! You liar!’ I’d say we just cut them loose. If there’s someone who relies on others that much, we don’t need them.” Wasn’t that the case? Wasn’t that relying completely on someone else? I was the Shield Hero. How many times had I been left wondering why I had to defend those so reliant on me?

  Of course, defending people was my only way forward. So I defended them.

  I asked her, “Would Raphtalia’s parents have said something like that?”

  “No, never. They were more the type to run ahead and try to distract the enemy, if it meant saving their allies.”

  “Exactly. Sadeena, you searched for the Lurolona slaves in Zeltoble in order to save Raphtalia. I think that’s more than enough.” Even if the slave hunters had been tracked, it would have been
difficult for Sadeena, a demi-human therianthrope, to rescue Raphtalia and the others from the village if they reached thoroughly corrupt Melromarc. So she had saved them indirectly in Zeltoble. She’d done everything possible for them.

  Indeed, her only piece of bad luck was that I had purchased Raphtalia. It could be that I was the one Raphtalia didn’t need.

  I consoled, “Anyway, now I’m the one acting as a parent for Raphtalia. I’ll be careful to do my best without applying too much pressure so that you don’t have to worry.” I stopped hugging Sadeena and looked at her.

  “So I should be aiming to become your wife and Raphtalia’s step-mom, then?” she probed. I could only sigh in exasperation. There was no reasoning with Sadeena on this point. She then announced, “Well then, little Naofumi. I’m going to do my best too.” Sadeena tried to stand up as though she was ready to jump right on me. I kept her down with gentle pressure on her shoulders and stood up first.

  I had to get out of here. She was ready to pounce.

  “No need to try too hard! Don’t lose yourself in drink. Try getting some sleep instead!” I asserted.

  “Oh, little Naofumi! Don’t you dare run from me!”

  “What’s all this noise—Sadeena! What are you doing?” Raphtalia turned up, coming to see what all the noise was about, and that only exasperated the situation. Business as usual, then.

  In the end, there wasn’t time to talk about Zodia or whether she was actually Sadeena’s sister.

  Chapter Ten: Shield Power-Up Method

  The following morning, we held our final war council and marched on the old city.

  “Today we need to capture this so-called old city. Do you think they’ll come at us full strength?” I inquired of a nearby officer.

  “According to our scouts, they have deployed their forces in front of the old city and are ready to engage us at any time,” the officer reported. So our enemy, too, was really going to get serious this time.

  “They’re not going to be annoying by holing up behind fortifications, are they?” I groaned.

  “Do they stand a chance against us though?” Sadeena questioned. If they had a sakura stone of destiny barrier, maybe—but if I was the enemy, I wouldn’t fancy my chances.

  Heroes were useful at a time like this. Especially me. With my sakura stone of destiny shield, it made it tough to take us down, and Raphtalia and Itsuki were especially high-powered. It would be difficult without some skilled officers capable of taking each of us down.

  Then there was the policy that Raphtalia was marching under: to abandon the order restricting the harming of animals. She had much support from the people, meaning keeping them under control was definitely going to be demanding resources.

  Another officer ran up and shouted, “Reporting! Information is coming in that those under the Heavenly Emperor are raiding the settlements we have taken!”

  There it was, then. That was their play. Attack the exposed locations and slow down our progress. We were fighting to defeat the false Heavenly Emperor, perpetrator of the forbidden, and so we needed to gather a certain amount of support from the people. If we ignored the attacks on these towns and villages, the people might end up thinking that nothing was going to change other than who it was standing over them.

  What choice did I have? I’d send out a selection of the most annoying among my retinue.

  Atla and Gaelion. Fohl could go too.

  “What is it, Master Naofumi?” Atla snapped to attention.

  “Kwaa?”

  “Yes?” Fohl chimed in too.

  I could have also asked Itsuki to go, but—nah, they should be fine.

  “Go capture the brigands causing trouble in the towns and villages we’ve occupied. It doesn’t matter how many days it takes; maintain the peace until I call for you. You’ll need to work in tandem with the Siltvelt troops following from behind.” Atla was well-liked in Siltvelt. They had sent considerable numbers to the revolutionary cause too.

  “Very well!”

  “Kwaa!”

  “Why do I have to follow your orders again?” Fohl was as rebellious as ever. Then Raphtalia stepped in.

  “Fohl. Will you please do this for me? Atla is excited to do this for Mr. Naofumi, and you’re the one best suited to stop her from going too far. I think it would be safer for her to get away from the front lines too.”

  “Ah, if you think so, big sister. Very well.”

  “Kwaaa!” With that, Gaelion turned from baby into father mode. Atla and Fohl climbed aboard.

  “We will execute your orders to the letter, Master Naofumi!” Atla dutifully replied.

  “Kwaaa!”

  “We’ve got this,” Fohl too conceded. With that, Atla and her party flew away on Gaelion.

  “Right, that should handle some of the issues behind us. In either case, we’ve got an excellently located base of operations right in front of us. Let’s go.”

  As we approached, a large castle and city came into view, with forces arrayed in front of them, standing ready to fight at any moment. They were seeking to control the field, making us come to them. When we also formed up into easy-to-fight formations and started to close in, one of the enemy units raised a flag indicating they had no hostile intent and started to move toward us.

  One of our officers came running up and announced, “It’s a messenger unit. Rather than spill meaningless blood in an all-out conflict, they are inquiring as to whether this could all be settled by having two representatives from each side fight. For their side, the water dragon’s miko priestess will be fighting.”

  “Oh my!” Sadeena exclaimed.

  “They have the gall to attack the towns and villages behind us, and then this? Send them packing!” I barked. Upon receiving my response, the distant enemies showed surprise on their faces, and then they retreated. It was starting to look like their command structure wasn’t in the healthiest position.

  A short while later, they started to abandon the defense of the old city and withdraw completely.

  Again, an officer appeared and stated, “Another message has been received. Due to an oversight on their part, the water dragon’s miko priestess declared that they will simply hand the old city over to us and then depart.” It looked like she had control of her forces, at least. A strong sense of duty, perhaps. I’d really wanted to see her—if only to make sure she really wasn’t Zodia.

  We could have chased after them, put the boot in a little, but doing so against an enemy who was leaving of its own accord would paint us as the bad guys here. Best not to do that.

  With that, then, our resounding—resoundingly easy—victory in taking the old city was complete.

  Entering the old city, we found ourselves warmly welcomed.

  The people were practically begging us to take over, and even some of the enemy soldiers stayed behind to join the revolution. Honestly, the real reason for being so well received was clearly because of the idiocy of the current Heavenly Emperor.

  With that, anyway, we headed swiftly toward the castle in the old city.

  This should have been a major base of enemy operations, but we were arriving after the enemy leaders posted here had already fled to the east. I really hoped I wasn’t underestimating the stupidity of these guys.

  “We salute the true Heavenly Emperor!” chanted men who flipped to our side. With the capture of the old city, skilled generals who had been demoted to posts out in the sticks were now siding with our forces, increasing the size of our lands at an incredible pace. Our forces were expanding at an almost unnatural rate.

  Just how much stupidity could the forces of the opposing Heavenly Emperor pull off? It was like they were going for some kind of record.

  After that, Raphtalia was shown to a place called the Sanctuary in order to perform the rite of appointing her as Heavenly Emperor. We left the castle, passed through a forest of tall, verdant, beautifully mossy trees, and came to a spot within it that had a yin-yang seal depicted there.

  A sm
all, well-maintained river was running between the trees. It really was all quite picturesque.

  “Here we shall perform the ritual of appointment for the Heavenly Emperor. Lady Raphtalia, please, step this way,” an important-looking official announced. Raluva, Sadeena, and other key figures in the revolution all formed a circle around her, and the showy ceremony got underway. Raphtalia herself looked as though she was being consumed by the very air here, withering away before my eyes.

  The miko outfit looked great on her though.

  When the enchantment-like blessing finished, the light from the massive trees—ah, they were sakura lumina, of course—started to twinkle down onto Raphtalia.

  “Ah. What’s going on? I feel something very strange,” she murmured as the light bathed her. Wow, it was like her tail was glowing! What was this, a beast transformation? Was she going to turn into Raph-chan?

  “Mr. Naofumi, please don’t make that look. I dislike the sparkle in your eyes.”

  “Concentrate on the ritual, please, Raphtalia,” I told her. She sighed at my tone.

  “I know, and I am. I’m starting to see something in my field of vision, actually. Is this—the blessing—the ability to activate sakura stones of destiny?” Raphtalia said, beckoning me over.

  “What is it?”

  “I’m not sure. Mr. Naofumi, give me your hand—” As she asked, I put my hand out. Then Raphtalia took it with both of her own hands, raising them all up as though praying and then touching them to her forehead. Then some text appeared.

  Pacifier’s Blessing received!

  Spirit Binding Limited Release 2: seal resistance (medium) acquired!

  “Hmmm. I tried to apply more than that, but they were repelled,” she stated.

  “An affinity problem, most likely. So? Can you activate the sakura stone of destiny barriers now?” I asked.

  “Yes, it looks like it.”

  “Oh my!”