Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari (LN) - Volume 4 - Chapter 6

Chapter Six: The Bird God’s Peace 

The whole day passed like a dream, and before long, night fell. Raphtalia, Filo, and Melty all fell asleep in a huge nest that the Filolials had prepared for them. 

Just like the night before, Fitoria stayed up to speak with me privately. 

“What is it?” 

“About what we discussed last night…” 

“Damn, you’re persistent. What’s impossible is impossible.” 

This morning she’d been serious about trying to kill us though. I realized that it was thanks to Filo’s efforts that we made it out of that one. 

But why was she so powerful? How did she get strong enough to fling Filo around like she was a doll? She was strong enough to take on all of the heroes at once. 

“Did you really… try to be friends with them? Did you try?” 

I didn’t answer immediately. If I didn’t think about my answer, she might kill me. 

Motoyasu had made up his mind about me. I wasn’t sure what Ren or Itsuki thought. 

Since the run-in we had over Melty, we hadn’t met again. 

I had no way of knowing where they were, but I remember that when we last left them, they seemed to have some suspicions about what I’d been accused of. 

“Did you try to clear your name?” 

She had noticed that I hadn’t really done anything. 

Especially concerning the rape accusation Bitch had made, I had given priority to my anger because I really believed there was no chance of anyone believing me. 

I told them that I had been framed, and they didn’t believe me. That’s why I didn’t believe them. 

But if I had been able to show them proof, would that have changed their minds? 

We weren’t close enough to sit down for a chat. They knew everything about this world, and they knew that I didn’t—but they still sent me out on my own and made no attempt to help me. Why should I go to them? 

All they wanted to do was play in their world and act all badass. 

How was I supposed to know what they were thinking? 

I’d thought about it before. I tried to imagine what Ren was thinking. 

He knew that everyone was freaking out because I’d been accused of raping Bitch. Ren didn’t know much about Bitch, but he knew that she was beautiful. 

Who should he believe? The man accused of the crime, of the woman who claims to be the victim? 

If I were him, and I really didn’t know anything about either of them, I’d have to side with the woman who claimed to be the victim. 

It was similar to things I’d heard about back in my own world. 

On a commuter train one day, a woman grabbed a man’s arm and shouted, “This man touched me!” 

Even if he hadn’t touched her, everyone on the train would immediately look at him differently, suspiciously. Even if he could prove that he was being framed, the man’s social position would be forever damaged. 

What Bitch had done to me was similar to that. 

“Sigh…” 

My anger was starting to subside, ever so slightly. 

Just as I didn’t know anything about Ren or Itsuki, they didn’t know anything about me. The same was true of Motoyasu. 

Well, Motoyasu clearly only thought about women. 

I felt like I had realized something important. 

If Ren and the others were looking into what had happened, then it might be worth it to try and speak with them. If we ran into each other, that is. 

If… Well, I’d try and talk the next time I saw them. 

If everything went well, we might be able to make some superficial amends. 

Of course, amends wouldn’t be possible until Bitch and Trash had been punished. 

“Do you remember our previous conversation? Where should I take you after we leave this place?” 

“Yeah.” 

“I was planning on dropping you off somewhere near the Holy Heroes.” 

“You’re coming too, right? 

If she was as powerful as she seemed to be, she could probably help clear up the misunderstanding. 

Her chief concern was that the heroes work together. Considering that, it seemed like a fair request. 

“I will not intrude on your affairs any longer. Please show me that there is a reason for me to care about you.” 

“Very self-satisfied, aren’t you? 

“That’s the problem. I haven’t found a reason to value the current Heroes. The only one of you I’ve met that has potential is Filo. Prove me wrong.” 

She clearly considered herself above me, but if she thought that she was doing it for the good of the world, then she really might kill the heroes for their infighting. 

I couldn’t exactly say she was mistaken. 

But I still had the feeling that she wasn’t going to save the world by knocking off people that were fighting with each other. 

Actually maybe I— or not I, but us... the heroes… maybe we were wrong about how serious the threat was. 

“Besides, I have plenty of things to keep me busy.” 

“Like what?” 

“Like saving the world from the waves. It’s not like the waves only come to places where people live.” 

“Are there hourglasses outside of population centers?” 

Fitoria nodded. I’d rather have not known that. So it wasn’t just civilization that was threatened? 

“I’ve been put in charge of those areas. I’d love for you to help me, but you need to grow stronger first.” 

So she meant that she’d gone out of her way to meet us and test us… while she had the time to do so. 

She wanted to see if we were strong enough to face what was coming. If we weren’t, she’d kill us. 

“If you can, have a real conversation with them. The world doesn’t have time for the petty squabbles of Heroes.” 

“You make it sound like the heroes are always fighting.” 

“I’ve seen it happen many times.” 

“Fine. I have to do all I can to patch up the relationship, right?” 

“There’s more.” 

“What?” 

“If even one of the Heroes is missing when the waves come, the waves will grow stronger. If that is what’s happening, then the Heroes must be killed so that new ones may be summoned. It must happen for the sake of the world.” 

Damn… I didn’t want to know that either. That meant that the danger grew worse if any of the heroes died. 

But if all the heroes died, then new ones could be summoned. What a situation. 

She was telling us to kiss and make up. But if we didn’t she’d kill us. 

This Filolial Queen sure knew how to give an obnoxious order. 

I was lost in my thoughts for a moment, so Fitoria stood up and turned back to me. 

“I don’t know how many waves it will take. But there will come a time when all the life in the world will be forced to sacrifice something great.” 

“…” 

“The Heroes will then be forced to make a decision. I’ll be waiting for you then.” 

“Decision?” 

“Whether you’ll fight for the world or for the people. If you can’t play nicely with the other Heroes and just want to be rid of your purpose, then at least stay alive until then. If you choose to fight for the world, you’ll have to make a great sacrifice, but you’ll be able to fulfill your purpose.” 

“What happens if I choose to fight for people?” 

“That’s a thorny path. The past Heroes wished for it. But it’s no longer possible. It is a path you cannot walk alone. You’d never make it.” 

“Hmm… Just how much do you know? Tell me everything.” 

“I’ve already forgotten so much. But I remember one thing. Saving the world and saving humanity are not the same thing.” 

The world and its people were different. 

From the way she was speaking, it was clear that she was standing on the side of the world. She seemed mostly indifferent to what happened to its people. Then what did it mean to fight for the world? I knew she was referencing the waves, but I couldn’t figure the rest out. 

Regardless, there was a time when she wanted to see us again. 

It might be after the final wave. I wondered… what WOULD I choose? Even if it was on behalf of people, if I could do something to protect Raphtalia and the others, I’d probably choose to help people. “So please, try to get along with the other Heroes.” “All I can say is that I will try. I can’t say how they will react, but you did give us those rewards. The least I can do is make an effort.” She gave Filo a tiara, and me a shield. The least I could do was hear her out. “You passed the trial. I have more hope for you than I do for the other Heroes.” “Why?” “The Shield Hero who raised the new Filolial Queen can’t be all bad.” “I am though. I’m bad.” I just said it without thinking. I mean… I’d bought a little girl as a slave and forced her to fight for me. I certainly wasn’t a GOOD person. “…” Fitoria sent her gaze to the sky and sighed deeply. “Think what you want for now. But don’t forget that we are connected through Filo.” Had Filo not been able to pass her trial… she would have killed me. She was powerful enough to do it. I’d even been wounded. “Fine.” “Shield Hero, I think that you have the strength to fix things with the other Heroes. And honestly… they are all just too weak. With how things are now, I won’t have to step in to take care of you all. You’ll take care of yourselves.” 

“Will it be so hard?” 

“It will be. And if you have to use that Shield…” 

Fitoria reached a hand towards my armor. 

I suddenly felt lighter. 

The dragon core that had been imbedded into my barbarian armor somehow changed. It now appeared like a Taoist ying-yang symbol. 

Barbarian Armor + 1 (Protection of the Bird God): 

defense up: impact resistance (medium): fire resistance (large): wind resistance (large): shadow resistance (large): HP recovery (very small): magic up (medium): 

agility up (medium): magic defense manufacturing: spiritual contamination resistance: automatic recovery 

“What’s this? 

“It will help you resist the Cursed Series. Still, it won’t keep you safe completely… Don’t use the Shield if you can avoid it.” 

“I’ll do what I can, but you shouldn’t hold your breath. About this or about making up with the other Heroes.” 

“Please…” 

Fitoria flashed the most sincere smile I’d seen yet as she walked over and leaned against me. 

“You’re heavy. Get off.” 

But Fitoria showed no signs of moving. 

“…” 

She kept leaning against me in silence. 

What was she doing? She looked like a little kid about to burst into tears. 

Why? It was my first thought. Why? What did she want? 

Then I thought of reasons. She’d said that a hero had raised her. 

Where was that hero now? He’d either gone back to his own world, or he’d died a long time ago. 

Did she think I was like her new parent now? Did she see her old hero in me? 

There was nothing I could do about it. 

I ran my hand over her head. When I did, she buried her head against my shoulder and hugged me. 

It seemed like the only reason she had to live was the promise she’d made to the hero in the past. Was that all she had? 

She’d promised to protect the world. How many years had it been? 

Thinking on how long she’d worked for the world, I felt like the least I could do was accept her request. 

In all her years, how many people had she met and worked with? In THIS world? She must have fallen into disappointment and desperation many times. Was that why she didn’t trust anyone but the heroes? 

She was a rather clumsy girl. She seemed to be very powerful, but that was probably because she was trying so hard. 

When a little girl asks you to do something, it’s hard to say no. 

I’d do what I could. 

Eventually Fitoria’s breath became deeper, and I realized she’d fallen asleep against my shoulder. Her snores sounded just like Filo’s. 

Someday, after I’d gone, would Filo lean on another hero’s shoulder and fall asleep? As I thought about it, my eyelids grew heavy, and soon I was asleep too. 

“Thank you so much!” 

Melty and Filo were waving their arms energetically. 

Morning came, and Fitoria declared that it was probably about time we hit the road. She motioned for us to ride in the carriage. 

Once we were all in the carriage, Fitoria teleported us back to the field where we’d fought with the Tyrant Dragon Rex, and we all disembarked. Were the other heroes nearby? 

“Are the other heroes somewhere nearby?” 

“I sense some kind of reaction nearby…” 

Fitoria was staring at the carriage. That wasn’t a good sign. 

A moment passed. Then Fitoria transformed into her normal Filolial form before raising her wings and running away. 

“That was an interesting experience, wasn’t it, Mr. Naofumi?” 

“Sure was. Okay, Filo…” 

“Uh huh?” 

Oh, I forgot to mention that Fitoria had given Filo a parting gift. 

It was a new carriage. It was made of wood, though it wasn’t of exceptional quality. 

Everything was getting really complicated. Why had she put so much on my shoulders? 

Filo had preferred the carriage that I’d bought, but there was really no choice but to compromise. 

Filo turned into her Filolial Queen form and started to pull the carriage. 

“Let’s go!” 

“Okay!” 

“Yeah!” 

“We can do it, right, Filo?!” 

We’d gotten far off course, but we were back on it now. We headed for the southwestern border. 

“I didn’t think it was going to be this far…” 

We’d arrived at the border. From where we stood we could see a small fort-like structure where guards watched the border from their patrol along the roof. 

There weren’t very many people crossing the border, and there were guards inspecting the contents of large luggage carts. 

“Damn. They’re keeping a close watch.” 

“Because they are looking for us, right? At least there are fewer guards here than there were up at the northeastern border.” 

“That’s true…” 

Motoyasu was standing near the border crossing. The fire-spewing demon was with him. 

I wished he’d go somewhere else. He’d never really listened to me. 

Or so I was thinking when Fitoria’s words came back to me. Could it be that my own assumptions were preventing us from reconciling? 

Regardless, Bitch was there too—and there was no way that she would hear me out. 

Anyway, there didn’t seem any way to cross without just charging head-on. 

I held on to a small hope that maybe they would listen to Filo, Melty, or Raphtalia. 

If we looked for another crossing now, we’d wander for a few days at least. And besides, our goal was right there before us. 

The main problem was Motoyasu. We’d made it out of all of our scuffles so far. If he wouldn’t listen to what we had to say, then we would just have to push through. 

Right—we’d just have to force our way through. 

“Melty, the goal is right there. We have to push through, whatever happens. Still, I’m going to try talking to Motoyasu.” 

I figured she was throwing some kind of hysteric fit, but it was important to make sure we were all on the same page. 

“Okay.” 

“Huh? What’s that?” 

“What’s what?” 

“I thought you’d tell me not to because it would make us look bad.” 

“…” 

She turned away and sighed in frustration. 

“If the country is behaving so rashly, then a rash treatment is necessary.” 

I knew what she meant. She was thinking of the nobleman that had wanted us dead so badly he’d release the seal on an ancient monster. He’d burn the country down to get at us. 

Melty was decisive. That was good. 

Forcing our way over the border would probably result in less destruction than continuing to run. 

“Okay. Let’s move! Are you all ready?” 

“Completely.” 

“Yup!” 

“I’ll give it my all.” 

“All right!” 

I raised my hand, and Filo threw her weight forward, running full-tilt with the carriage. 

We ran right up to the border crossing. 

“It’s the Shield Demon!” 

Some greeting… 

I’d been planning on compromising and trying to talk things over. And this is how they said hello? 

I’d reconsidered my approach after talking through it with Fitoria. But had I been wrong? 

“Stop right there!” 

Before the actual crossing there was some kind of mat laid out. It was covered with protruding nails. We’d never get the carriage over it. 

But Filo didn’t show any signs of slowing down. 

“Here they come!” 

Motoyasu leveled his spear in our direction. 

He was a feminist. He wouldn’t raise his spear to Filo… would he? 

His spear began to glow. 

“Myne!” 

“Okay!” 

Bitch started to cast a spell. 

“Zweite Fire!” 

“Air Strike Javelin! And…” 

As Myne finished casting her spell, Motoyasu raised his shining spear and threw it at us. 

“Combo Skill, Air Strike Fire Lance!” 

A spear made of fire was flying straight for us. 

Shit! 

I immediately jumped up onto Filo’s back and began to cast my own spell. 

“Air Strike Shield! Second Shield!” 

The two Air Strike Shields appeared in the air and stopped Motoyasu’s burning lance. 

But the shields were not able to stop the lance completely. It ricocheted and kept flying for the cart. Filo jumped away from the cart to dodge it. I turned back to see Raphtalia and Melty hold hands and leap from the cart just in time. 

Was Motoyasu flinging skills at us without hesitation now? 

Besides, what WAS that? Magic and skills could be combined into combo skills? 

I guess so. It was like the magic sword. 

Had he been holding back this whole time? Is that why they hadn’t used it up until now? 

“What are you doing?!” 

I was planning on trying to talk to him before we ran away, but he’d just run up and started attacking. 

“Myne!” 

“I know!” 

Bitch, the princess, shot a look over at the soldiers. 

When she did, a magic cage, rippling and crackling with energy, appeared around us. 

“What?!” 

“What the… What is this?!” 

“What’s happening?” 

It was very large, about forty meters across. It appeared to be made out of lightning. 

Was it… magic? Or was it made from something else? 

“We finally found you, Naofumi. You won’t get away this time.” 

“Motoyasu…” 

He was looking at us, unmistakably gloating. 

What was that supposed to mean? His normal nonchalance was gone. 

“Naofumi, this is a magical device called a Lightning Cage.” 

Melty looked at the cage and explained its purpose. 

“It is a trap installed over a specific area. It is designed to trap wizards and magic users.” 

“For wizards? What’s the point of it?” 

“It’s supposed to keep the targets trapped inside.” 

Now it made sense. They’d seen us escape on Filo’s quick feet before, so they wanted to fight in an area that would circumvent that entirely. 

“I can break it, but it will take a little time.” 

“What’s the normal way to get out?” 

“You need the key from the person who set it up.” 

I climbed down from Filo’s back and glared at Motoyasu. 

“Are you going to fight?” 

“Well I wanted to discuss things before it came to that. But it’s looking like a fight is more likely.” 

Raphtalia unsheathed her sword and readied it. 

“Raphtalia, you should focus on defense. Stay back if you can.” 

“But I...” 

“Am I fighting?” 

“Yes. If it comes to that.” 

Motoyasu was weak when it came to pretty girls. He had just attacked without hesitation, but I was going to assume that he thought we’d dodge it. 

“Melty, can you focus on breaking the cage?” 

“I can try… but I can’t make any promises.” 

“Okay then—Raphtalia, you focus on protecting Melty as she works to break the cage.” 

“All right!” 

After I finished assigning everyone their roles, I walked over in Motoyasu’s direction. 

“Motoyasu, listen to me.” 

It might have been because of the chat I’d had with Fitoria, but I was starting to suspect that Motoyasu really was just being deceived by Bitch. 

If that wasn’t the case, then he wouldn’t have tried to go out of his way to save Raphtalia from me. 

He might have been a little slow on the uptake, but for the time being I was going to assume that he had never really intended to frame me. 

“You think you can brain wash me with your Brain Washing Shield?!” 

Oh man… He was already convinced that the Brain Washing Shield was a real thing. 

Honestly though, it was his complete lack of critical thought that reeked of brain washing. 

But he was the Spear Hero. If I could trust what I’d been reading in The Records of the Four Holy Warriors, then the Spear Hero was supposed to have a loyal heart. 

Loyalty, in this case, clearly meant that he did not doubt those that he considered his friends. 

And Bitch, the princess, and Trash, the king, were right behind him. If he’d believe his so-called friends without a second thought, then he was just an idiot. 

“Mr. Motoyasu! We have to hurry and save Melty and the other brain washed victims of the Shield Demon!” 

Bitch was always ready to add fuel to the fire. How rotten was this woman? 

“I’m not going to hold back anymore.” 

“…Me neither.” 

After I was summoned here, I had to endure Motoyasu’s absurdity on the second day, then on the first day of the second month. 

The thought of ending all that seemed reasonable enough. 

Dammit! There I was, falling into the same pattern again. Why didn’t I learn?! 

“Anyway, listen to me. Is this really the time for heroes to squabble among themselves? Where are Ren and Itsuki? If you don’t think of a good reason for just you to devote all your time to chasing me, then you’re acting like a fool!” 

If he were convinced I was evil, then I would turn the conversation to Ren and Itsuki—because they weren’t chasing me. 

If we talked about them enough, maybe Motoyasu would wake up to his own suspicions. 

“Even though they’re dead, I won’t believe anything you say!” 

“Huh?” 

Dead? What was he talking about? 

Ren and Itsuki? Us? Who? What? 

“Hey, Motoyasu. What are you talking about? Who’s dead?” 

“That’s how you tricked Ren and Itsuki too! That’s how you killed them!” 

“What? What are you talking about? Explain yourself!” 

“You’re trying to trick me! I won’t listen! I know all about it! After that monster was released from a town YOU were at, you snuck up behind Ren and Itsuki and killed them!” 

What the hell happened in Melromarc while we were with Fitoria? 

The only idea I could come up with was that Ren and Itsuki had gone looking into the broken seal. They were getting too close to the truth, so someone had them killed. 

I don’t know if it was Trash or the Church, but someone was trying to pin the whole thing on me, and they were whispering to Motoyasu about it! 

“You’re wrong! Think about it! I don’t have a reason to kill Ren or Itsuki!” 

“Shut up. I don’t believe you. I’m done holding back! Even if a girl has to be the new Shield, I’ll have to dirty my hands to avenge Ren and Itsuki!” 

It wasn’t working. Motoyasu had made up his mind that I had murdered the other heroes. 

Damn. Someone had beaten me to it. 

Fitoria, I’m sorry. The heroes didn’t seem to care about saving the world at all. 

Of all the heroes needed to somehow stand up to the crisis bearing down on the world… somehow… there were only two left. 

And looking at Motoyasu’s behavior, he wasn’t going to be satisfied until I was dead too. 

But I couldn’t die there. 

I changed my shield into the Chimera Viper Shield and turned to face Motoyasu. 

Motoyasu had Bitch and two other girls in his party. There were soldiers pouring from the border crossing. The cage kept them from interfering directly—but it also prevented our escape. 

As for my side of things, Filo and I stood at the front lines. Melty was in the back trying to break the cage while Raphtalia protected her. 

“Everyone, let us have our revenge!” 

“Motoyasu, you’re crazy. It’s time you realized that.” 

Fine. Things were different now. 

Melty couldn’t fight, but I still had Filo and Raphtalia. 

If I really used my shield, we wouldn’t lose. 

Finally, we were going to settle this whole matter once and for all. 

“AAAAHHHHHHHH!” 

We ran headfirst into the battle for the future.